In a match that will surely go down in tennis history, world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz secured his place in the Australian Open final after a grueling five-set victory over Alexander Zverev.
The Spaniard battled through physical limitations and a fierce comeback from the German third seed to win 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5 in five hours and 27 minutes—the longest match of the tournament so far.
This victory makes Carlos Alcaraz the youngest player in the Open era to reach all four major finals, keeping his hopes for a career Grand Slam alive. He will now face either two-time champion Jannik Sinner or 10-time winner Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s final.
A Battle of Physical and Mental Endurance
Alcaraz appeared to be cruising toward victory after taking the first two sets, but the match took a dramatic turn late in the third.
Just two games away from sealing the win, the Spaniard began to suffer from severe cramping in his upper right leg. His movement was visibly compromised, forcing him to rely on drop shots and high-risk winners to shorten points.
Despite the physical setback, Carlos Alcaraz refused to fold. “Physically it was one of the most demanding matches that I have ever played in my short career,” Carlos Alcaraz admitted post-match. “I knew what I had to do. I had to put my heart into the match. I think I did it. I fought until the last ball.”
Zverev’s Near-Historic Comeback
For Alexander Zverev, the loss was a heartbreaking end to a valiant effort. Attempting to recover from two sets down—a feat he has achieved only three times in his career—Alexander Zverev pushed the world No. 1 to the absolute limit.
He capitalized on Carlos Alcaraz’s physical struggles to take the third and fourth sets in tiebreaks, forcing a decisive fifth set.
Alexander Zverev even broke Carlos Alcaraz early in the fifth to take the lead, serving for the match at one point. However, Carlos Alcaraz managed to find a second wind, feeding off the energy of the Rod Laver Arena crowd to break back and reel off four consecutive games to seal the victory.
The win sets the stage for a blockbuster final on Sunday, where Carlos Alcaraz will look to claim his seventh Grand Slam trophy. He will face off against world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who is seeking his record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title.
Novak Djokovic, known for his mental toughness and big-match experience, will surely pose a formidable challenge for the young Spaniard. However, Carlos Alcaraz has already proven he can handle the pressure of playing on the biggest stages in tennis.
His victory over Alexander Zverev marks just the beginning of what could be a long and successful career for Carlos Alcaraz. As he continues to develop physically and mentally, he will undoubtedly become a force to be reckoned with on the ATP tour.
In addition to his impressive performance at this year’s Australian Open 2026.
Saurabh is a passionate tennis content writer and lifelong fan of the game. Whether it’s Grand Slam showdowns or under-the-radar rising stars, Saurabh brings the court to life with sharp analysis, breaking news, and deep-dive features. When they aren’t covering matches, you can find them practicing their topspin forehand or debating who is the GOAT over coffee. Do you enjoy tennis? Then you are in the right place.
