Carlos Alcaraz, the world’s number one tennis player, has advanced to his first Australian Open final after a thrilling five-hour match against Alexander Zverev. The match ended with Alcaraz defeating Zverev, the defending finalist and ranked third, with a score of 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (3/7), 6-7 (4/7), 7-5.
Alcaraz’s Remarkable Journey
After the grueling match, Alcaraz shared his thoughts on the intense physical challenge. “I believed in myself the whole time,” he stated. He reflected on the mental strength required, saying, “I always say you must believe in yourself, regardless of the situation.” During the match, Alcaraz faced significant physical challenges, especially after leading two sets to none.
Physical Challenges and Comeback
Alcaraz experienced severe thigh pain, which limited his movement for nearly an hour. Despite this setback, he managed to regain his form as the match progressed. Even though Zverev fought back to equalize at two sets each, Alcaraz’s resilience shone through.
- Duration of match: 5 hours and 27 minutes
- Longest match in Australian Open history: Djokovic vs. Nadal, 2012 (5 hours and 53 minutes)
In the deciding fifth set, Zverev initially took the lead, breaking Alcaraz’s serve in the first game. However, as Zverev served for the match at 5-4, Alcaraz mounted a comeback, winning the last two games to secure his victory.
Upcoming Final
With this win, Alcaraz is set to compete for his seventh Grand Slam title on Sunday. His opponent will either be Jannik Sinner or Novak Djokovic, who is vying for his 25th Grand Slam title, with hopes for an 11th triumph in Melbourne.
Record Achievements
This final marks Alcaraz’s eighth Grand Slam final and his fourth consecutive appearance. At just 22 years and 272 days old, he is the youngest player in the Open Era to reach the finals of all four major tournaments. This achievement surpasses Jim Courier, who reached a similar milestone at 22 years and 321 days in 1993.
If Alcaraz secures a title in all four Grand Slam tournaments, he will surpass Björn Borg as the youngest player to win seven Grand Slam titles, achieving this feat before the age of 24.
Zverev’s Performance
Alexander Zverev, who has reached three Grand Slam finals (U.S. Open 2020, French Open 2024, Australian Open 2025), still seeks to claim a victory over the world number one at a major championship.
