Carlos Alcaraz chased a Profession Grand Slam on the Australian Open. The 21-year-old couldn’t full all 4 Main crowns in Melbourne following the quarter-final defeat to Novak Djokovic.
The Serb overcame a hamstring damage and prevailed 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in three hours and 37 minutes, ending the Spaniard’s title goals. Carlos’ coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, admitted the loss was barely disappointing.
A participant of Alcaraz’s caliber all the time seeks a trophy, however Djokovic had different plans! The veteran dropped the opener earlier than bouncing again and sealing the deal after one other titanic battle towards his nice rival.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2025
Novak and Carlos wrote historical past at Rod Laver Enviornment. With nearly 16 years separating them, they embraced the eighth-largest age distinction within the Main quarter-finals – the largest since 1989! Djokovic claimed 9 factors greater than Alcaraz.
The Serb obtained a medical timeout within the first set and made a recent begin within the second. The treatment did the magic, and the 37-year-old endured the hassle and moved excessive after one other notable efficiency.
Novak Djokovic & Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Carlos fired 50 winners and 40 unforced errors. Nevertheless, he sprayed too many errors within the pivotal moments and misplaced floor after a promising begin. The ten-time champion suffered 4 breaks and offered six return video games that carried him residence.
They traded early breaks at first of the duel. Djokovic struggled along with his motion and missed a sport level in sport 9. He confronted a break level and missed a forehand to fall behind. The veteran left the courtroom and obtained a medical timeout.
Alcaraz saved his focus and landed an ace in sport ten for a maintain at love and 6-4. Novak made a recent begin within the second set and delivered a break for a 3-0 benefit. Djokovic missed a volley within the fifth sport, bringing his rival again to the optimistic facet.
Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Carlos couldn’t construct on that break regardless of defending two break factors in sport six for 3-3. The veteran held at love in sport 9 and made a push on the return within the subsequent one. Novak landed a backhand down the road return winner, breaking the younger gun at love and leveling the general rating.
It took away Alcaraz’s confidence. The Spaniard survived on serve in video games two and 4 of the third set. Nevertheless, he squandered a 40-15 lead at 2-3 and missed a backhand on a break level to search out himself 4-2 behind.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
World no. 3 nonetheless battled laborious and pulled the break again in sport seven to return to the optimistic facet. Dealing with these conditions many occasions earlier than, Djokovic grabbed one other break in sport eight with a forehand winner and opened a 5-3 hole.
The Serb fell 30-0 down in sport 9 earlier than climbing again and attacking along with his backhand on a set level. Thus, the ten-time winner solid two units to at least one lead in two hours and 34 minutes and moved nearer to the end line.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Novak broke Carlos early within the fourth set to manage the scoreboard. He saved a break level at 2-1 and bypassed deuces in sport six to open a 4-2 hole. Carlos confronted a break level in sport seven and denied it after a 36-stroke alternate.
Djokovic confronted the last word check at 4-3. He saved break factors and introduced the sport residence with a forehand winner on the web. Alcaraz closed the ninth sport with a robust serve and prolonged the battle. Novak served for the win at 5-4.
The 37-year-old earned a match level and drew the rival’s mistake, celebrating a notable victory and reaching his fiftieth Main semi-final.
Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
“Carlos’ Australian Open loss to Novak came as a slight disappointment for everyone. Many players would have signed up to reach the quarter-final, but we always think of going further, considering Carlos’ potential.
The Rotterdam title gave him an injection of confidence ahead of his next tournaments,” Juan Carlos Ferrero stated.
