Carlos Alcaraz defeats Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open | ATP Tour

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Alcaraz beats Zverev in record 5h27 SF, reaches first Australian Open final

World No. 1 can complete the Career Grand Slam by lifting the trophy in Melbourne

January 30, 2026

Carlos Alcaraz advanced to his first Australian Open final in dramatic fashion on Friday afternoon, when he overcame physical problems and rose from the brink to win a marathon semi-final against Alexander Zverev.

The No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, Alcaraz defeated World No. 3 Zverev 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-7 (4), 7-5 after hitting five hours, 27 minutes inside the Rod Laver Arena, the longest semi-final in the history of the tournament. After appearing to recover from a right upper leg injury that had plagued him since late in the third set, the Spaniard came from 3-5 down in the decider and fell to the ground in jubilation after closing out his final appearance in Melbourne. He will face either Jannik Sinner or Novak Djokovic on Sunday to win the trophy.

“I believe, every time,” Alcaraz said in his courtroom interview, when asked how he won the match. “I always say you have to believe in yourself, no matter what you’re struggling with or what you’ve been through. No matter what, you still have to believe in yourself at all times. I was struggling in the middle of the third set. Physically it was one of the toughest matches I’ve played in my short career.

“I’ve been in these situations and I knew what I had to do. I had to put my heart into the game. I think I did and I fought until the last ball. I knew I would get my chances. I’m proud of the way I fought and came back in the fifth set.”

YOUR LIFE 🫡@carlosalcaraz knocking out Zverev in a battle that took five hours and 27 minutes to reach the first @Australian Open last time.#AO26 pic.twitter.com/a6SjWQHxCc

– ATP Tour (@atptour) January 30, 2026

With his victory, Alcaraz moved to within one win of being the youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam (having won the singles title at all four majors). Standing between Alcaraz and that piece of history, however, is a heavy game with his biggest rivals. World No. 2 Sinner is the two-time defending champion at Melbourne Park, while Djokovic holds a record 10th Australian Open title.

Alcaraz is the youngest man in the Open Era to reach the finals of all four majors and the 22-year-old Spaniard could face Sinner for a fourth consecutive major title. In his eighth major tournament, the top seed will seek his seventh title on Sunday.

“I’m very happy to play my first final in Melbourne,” said Alcaraz. “It was something that I was really chasing, I really pursued. To have a chance to fight for the title. I think it’s been a great tournament so far and my level is growing a lot. But the thing I will say is that I wouldn’t be here doing this interview right now [the fans]. It was great to play in front of you all. The way you got me back in the game… I’m so grateful for the support.”

Alcaraz scored 78 percent (35/45) of the net points in his impressive win, according to Infosys Stats. The 22-year-old is now 15-1 in fifth sets, and has a 7-6 lead in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Zverev. Meanwhile, Friday’s crushing defeat leaves Zverev, 28, still chasing his first Grand Slam title. The German, who was just three points away from victory, was aiming to reach his fourth and second consecutive slam finals in Melbourne.

Alcaraz, who had not dropped a set in his first five matches in Melbourne, looked set to continue his good run after opening two sets against Zverev. The top seed produced quality tennis when they needed it most, especially when they rallied from 2-5 to take the second set.

It was 4-4, 15/15 in the third set when the real drama began. Alcaraz appeared to be struggling and struggling with a right leg injury when working at 4-4 in the third set. He received treatment twice from the tournament physio, and was unable to stop Zverev from returning to the match.

Alcaraz’s style of playing aggressively to shorten rallies was competitive, but it proved insufficient. Zverev broke his opponent in the opening game of the deciding set and, after earning five break points in his three service games, soon served for the match at 5-4.

Then came Alcaraz’s unbelievable comeback. Moving freely again, the Spaniard reeled off four consecutive matches to stun his opponent and become the youngest man to reach the finals of all four Grand Slams. On match point, Alcaraz made a forehand pass to Zverev, before falling on his back in delight as the German’s volley crashed into the net.