World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz has produced one of the most remarkable comebacks in Australian Open history, battling through debilitating cramps and a fifth-set deficit to defeat Alexander Zverev in a dramatic semi-final clash. The match, which lasted five hours and 27 minutes, will be remembered as a testament to Alcaraz's resilience and fighting spirit.
A Match That Twisted and Turned
Initially, Alcaraz appeared poised for a straightforward victory, taking the first two sets with a commanding display of power and precision. However, the contest took a dramatic turn late in the third set when the top seed was suddenly struck by severe cramps while serving at 4-4. This physical setback completely altered the momentum of the match, forcing Alcaraz to adapt his game under immense duress.
Controversy and Cramps
Despite his obvious physical limitations, Alcaraz managed to hold serve, but controversy erupted at the change of ends. He was assessed by a physio and surprisingly allowed to take a three-minute medical timeout for cramps, a decision that sparked significant debate. Players are typically not permitted medical timeouts for cramps, and Zverev was visibly furious, arguing with officials and expressing his frustration to his team.
Commentator Jim Courier described the situation as a travesty, noting that Zverev was melting down over the ruling. Alcaraz, reduced to walking between points during the ninth game, somehow held serve before the timeout. Upon returning, he continued to struggle with movement, often appearing to be on one leg, yet he still managed to smash winners and hold serve for 6-5.
The Fightback Begins
Zverev capitalised on Alcaraz's hampered state, winning the third-set tiebreaker and then the fourth set in another tiebreaker, thanks to his powerful serve under pressure. As the match entered a deciding fifth set, Zverev broke Alcaraz in the first game, seemingly on track for a stunning comeback victory. However, Alcaraz never surrendered, maintaining his belief and continuing to create opportunities.
An Unforgettable Fifth Set
Alcaraz's determination paid off when he broke Zverev as the German served for the match at 5-3. With momentum now on his side, the Spaniard sealed the victory at 5-6, finishing with an absurd forehand on the run that left him collapsing in a heap on the court. The final scoreline read 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5, reflecting the intense back-and-forth nature of the encounter.
Historical Significance
This victory propels Alcaraz into his first Australian Open final, making him the youngest player in history to reach the finals of all four major tournaments. If he triumphs in the final on Sunday, he will have won all four grand slams before his 23rd birthday, a remarkable achievement in the sport. Gracious in defeat, Zverev embraced Alcaraz after the match, but left the court in disappointment as another major opportunity slipped away.
Alcaraz attributed his win to never stopping believing, a mindset that saw him through the toughest moments. Throughout the match, he employed strategies like swigging pickle juice at changeovers and running down the service clock to manage his cramps and gradually regain movement. He now awaits the winner of the other semi-final between defending champion Jannik Sinner and ten-time champion Novak Djokovic, setting the stage for a thrilling final showdown.
