In a thrilling Australian Open quarterfinal match, Novak Djokovic outlasted young sensation Carlos Alcaraz in a scintillating showdown that stretched on for over 3.5 hours.
Djokovic Holds Off Alcaraz in Epic Match
Novak Djokovic refused to let anything stop his pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam trophy in the Australian Open quarterfinals. Not a problem with his left leg. Not an early deficit. And not the kid across the net, Carlos Alcaraz, who was making things difficult and eyeing his own bit of history.
Djokovic overcame it all, just as he has so often along the way to so many triumphs, moving into the semifinals at Melbourne Park for the 12th time with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Alcaraz in a scintillating showdown Tuesday night between a pair of stars born 16 years apart and at opposite ends of their careers.
The Match That Was
It took more than 3 1/2 hours, but Novak Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 on Tuesday. The action was nonstop, the shot-making brilliant, even as the encounter stretched on for more than 3½ hours and nearly to 1 a.m. — never more so, perhaps, than when Alcaraz saved a break point that would have put Djokovic ahead 5-2 in the fourth set.
The 33-stroke exchange was the longest of the evening, and when it ended with Djokovic sailing a forehand long, the capacity crowd at Rod Laver Arena went wild. Djokovic reached for his bothersome leg and yelled toward his entourage; Alcaraz, his chest heaving, leaned on a towel box and grinned.
A Clash of Generations
This was the eighth Djokovic vs. Alcaraz meeting, but the first at the Australian Open — and the first that wasn’t in the semifinal or final. Zverev called it “a clash of generations” between “two of the best players that probably ever touched a tennis racket.” Hard to find the hyperbole.
At 37, Djokovic is undoubtedly past his prime, but no man has won more Australian Open championships than his 10, or more Grand Slam singles titles than his 24. At 21, Alcaraz is unlikely yet to have reached his peak, but no man ever had reached No. 1 in the rankings as a teen until he did, or collected major trophies on three different surfaces by his age.
Post-Match Reaction
Djokovic enjoyed some of his own best efforts in the latter stages, pointing to his ear or blowing kisses or spreading his arms while puffing out his chest. There was the forehand winner on a 22-stroke point that earned the break for a 5-3 lead in the third set. There was that set’s last point, which included a back-to-the-net sprint to chase down a lob.
Alcaraz wasn’t shy, either, shouting, “Vamos!” and pumping his fists after one particularly booming forehand in the fourth set. When the match ended, Djokovic yelled toward his team’s box, before giving his coach, Andy Murray, a hug. Then Djokovic applauded for No. 3 seed Alcaraz as he left the court.
“I’m sure we are going to see a lot of him,” Djokovic said. “Maybe not as much as I would like.”
Next Up
On Friday, Djokovic’s 50th major semifinal will come against No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev, a two-time runner-up at majors who beat No. 12 Tommy Paul 7-6 (1), 7-6 (0), 2-6, 6-1. Djokovic said he hopes he can recover in time to face Zverev at full strength.
The other men’s quarterfinals are Wednesday: No. 1 Jannik Sinner vs. No. 8 Alex de Minaur, and No. 21 Ben Shelton against unseeded Lorenzo Sonego.
