Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz performed their fourth Main encounter within the Australian Open quarter-final. The expertise met the youth, with the 2 nice rivals writing Main historical past at Rod Laver Enviornment. Novak overcame an damage scare and prevailed 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in three hours and 37 minutes.
With virtually 16 years separating them, Novak and Carlos embraced the eighth-largest age distinction within the Main quarter-finals – the most important since 1989! Seven Main quarter-finals with the extra excessive age distinction between the 2 rivals got here in the course of the Nineteen Seventies and 80s.
The eternal Ken Rosewall performed at a excessive stage nicely after turning 40. He occupies 5 spots on the record. The Muscle took down 4 younger weapons within the Main quarter-finals between 1973 and 1977. He was 43 when the 26-year-old John Alexander ousted him within the quarter-final of the second Australian Open in 1977.
🎥 Highlights from the epic Melbourne 2025 chapter of the Djokovic-Alcaraz rivalry 😍 pic.twitter.com/xNl7L9nh7g
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2025
Jimmy Connors and Andre Agassi joined the social gathering in 1988 and 1989 after battling within the quarter-final on the dwelling Main. Agassi, a youngster, ousted the legend in back-to-back years, together with a five-setter thriller in 1989!
35 and a half years later, Djokovic and Alcaraz added their names to the record. The veteran skilled an damage, fighting the ache in his left leg and receiving a medical timeout. Novak didn’t transfer nicely within the first two units.
Novak Djokovic & Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The medicine began to work within the second a part of the duel and he managed to topple world no. 3 in 4 units and transfer by way of. Djokovic took 9 factors extra and tamed his strokes properly as soon as he recovered his motion.
World no. 3 landed 50 winners and 40 unforced errors. He made a stable begin earlier than shedding focus in set quantity two. Carlos missed his probabilities and sprayed too many errors within the pivotal moments to finish his run within the quarter-final.
The veteran skilled 4 breaks and supplied six return video games to make a distinction. The Serb clinched a break within the second sport of the duel, and the Spaniard pulled it again within the subsequent one. Struggling together with his motion, Novak missed a sport level at 4-4.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
He missed a forehand on a break level and despatched his rival in entrance. Djokovic obtained a medical timeout exterior the court docket earlier than Alcaraz held at love at 5-4 with an ace to wrap up the opener. Novak recovered his sport and delivered an early break within the second set for 3-0.
The ten-time winner sprayed a volley error within the fifth sport and misplaced serve. World no. 3 denied two break factors within the subsequent one and locked the consequence at 3-3. The 37-year-old held for 5-4 and secured a break at love within the subsequent one with a backhand down the road return winner, leveling the general rating.
Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The younger gun misplaced his confidence within the third set. He survived break factors in video games two and 4 earlier than losing a 40-15 benefit at 2-3. The Spaniard sprayed a backhand error on a break level and misplaced serve to fall 4-2 behind.
Carlos broke again in sport seven and returned to the optimistic facet. Djokovic used his expertise and supplied one other break in sport eight with a forehand winner that despatched him in entrance. Novak discovered himself 30-0 down within the ninth sport.
He climbed again and transformed a set level after a backhand crosscourt assault. Thus, the veteran moved two units to 1 in entrance after two hours and 34 minutes. Djokovic secured a break initially of the fourth set.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The Serb saved a break level in sport 4 and survived deuces two video games later to forge a 4-2 benefit. Alcaraz performed towards a break level within the seventh sport and denied it after an entertaining 36-stroke change.
The veteran confronted the last word problem at 4-3. He saved them and held for 5-3 with a forehand winner on the internet. Carlos served to increase the match in sport 9 and closed it with a service winner. Djokovic served for the win at 5-4 and saved his composure.
Novak prompted Carlos’ mistake on a match level, sealing the deal and shifting into his fiftieth Main semi-final.
