4 months earlier than turning 38, Novak Djokovic remains to be a participant to beat! The ten-time Australian Open winner stopped the clock at Melbourne Park and ousted world no. 3 Carlos Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 for a spot within the semi-final.
Thus, the legend reached his fiftieth Main semi-final and organized the conflict in opposition to world no. 2 Alexander Zverev. Novak struggled bodily within the first a part of the duel and required a medical timeout after the ninth recreation of the opening set.
Djokovic misplaced it however began his comeback within the second, producing an unbelievable shot-making and toppling the 21-year-old in model! It was their fourth Main duel, with the Serb celebrating the second victory after Roland Garros 2023.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2025
The veteran grabbed a break within the second recreation of the duel for an early lead. The younger gun pulled it again in recreation three after an prolonged rally and a backhand down the road winner. They served nicely within the subsequent 5 video games and locked the consequence at 4-4.
Struggling bodily, Djokovic wasted a recreation level in recreation 9 and sprayed a forehand error on the third break level to fall 5-4 behind. The veteran left the courtroom for a medical timeout. Alcaraz saved his composure and served nicely when the match continued.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The Spaniard held at love at 5-4 and landed an ace at 40-0, holding at love and wrapping up the opener 6-4 in 54 minutes. Novak recovered and kicked off the second set with a break, shifting 3-0 up and turning the tables.
Carlos saved combating and pulled the break again in recreation 5 after Novak’s volley error. The younger gun saved two break factors within the sixth recreation and produced a fantastic maintain two video games later for 4-4. Djokovic delivered a snug maintain in recreation 9 and made a push within the subsequent one.
The veteran landed a forehand winner for 30-0 and earned three set factors with a deep return. Novak transformed the primary with a backhand down the road return winner, taking the set 6-4 and leveling the general rating after an hour and 45 minutes.
Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The Spaniard struggled on serve within the third set, shedding his vibes and spraying too many errors. He denied break factors in video games two and 4 to remain on the optimistic aspect. Djokovic made one other push at 3-2, welcoming Alcaraz’s backhand and securing a break that despatched him 4-2 up.
World no. 3 pulled the break again in recreation seven after drawing the rival’s error, extending his possibilities. Nevertheless, it didn’t give him a lift he required! Carlos struggled on serve once more within the eighth recreation and skilled a break at love after Novak’s forehand winner.
Djokovic climbed again from 0-30 within the ninth recreation and handed Alcaraz on the internet with a cracking backhand crosscourt assault. Thus, the legend closed the set 6-3 and moved two units to 1 in entrance after two hours and 34 minutes.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The Serb used this enhance and grabbed a break within the first recreation of the fourth set. The ten-time champion saved a break level within the fourth recreation and survived deuces two video games later for a 4-2 lead. Carlos saved a break level in recreation seven to stay in contact.
The younger gun generated two break possibilities in recreation eight, looking for a late break and extra drama. Nevertheless, Novak denied them and supplied a vital maintain that despatched him 5-3 up. The 24-time Main winner served for the win at 5-4.
He held at 30 after Alcaraz’s mistake, shifting into his fiftieth Main semi-final.
