PA Media/DPA
Melbourne
Novak Djokovic proved himself the Melbourne Park master once again with a brilliant late-night victory over young pretender Carlos Alcaraz.
The 10-time Australian Open champion is only two wins away from a record-breaking 25th grand slam title after a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 success completed at 12.57am that will have put the whole locker room on notice.
A potential concern for Djokovic, who next plays second seed Alexander Zverev in what will be his 50th slam semi-final, is a left leg problem that required treatment during the opening set, but he seemed to improve physically as the match went on.
Alcaraz trailed 3-4 in the head-to-head and had lost their last meeting in the Olympic final, but he felt like a solid favourite on age, form and having defeated his rival in back-to-back Wimbledon deciders.
He had never beaten Djokovic on hard courts, though, nor made it past the quarter-finals here, and the 37-year-old used all his experience of successful nights past on Rod Laver Arena to befuddle Alcaraz.
Coach Andy Murray, sat in the courtside box, also deserves credit because this was a tactical triumph as Djokovic blunted the firepower and spirit of his opponent before the 21-year-old rallied in a spectacular denouement.
It took both men a bit of time to settle into the contest in cool, windy conditions.
Despite one incredible volley winner, Alcaraz dropped serve in the second game amid a slew of errors, only to break straight back, striking a backhand winner down the line.
The contest then ticked along routinely until the ninth game when, after a long rally at 15-15, Djokovic crouched down wincing and gave a little shake of the head towards his box.
He managed to save two break points but not a third and swiftly headed off court for a medical timeout.
He returned with strapping visible on his left thigh and Alcaraz served out the set, but Djokovic showed positive signs early in the second, taking the fight to his young opponent and opening up a 3-0 lead.
It was a scrappy contest, with some moments of brilliance from both men but errors aplenty, and back came Alcaraz to level the match as Djokovic limped around the court. But the Serbian has won the title here on more than one occasion despite being physically compromised and he produced a superb returning game to break serve again and take the set.
Djokovic had found a real groove on his ground strokes and particularly on return, piling the pressure on an increasingly frustrated Alcaraz.
He cracked at 2-3 only to hit straight back, but the Spaniard was shouting at himself again as Djokovic clinched a third straight break, sending a forehand arrowing into the corner and then putting his finger to his ear as he soaked up the cheers.
The 37-year-old had stayed supremely calm but he conducted his orchestra once more after coming from 0-30 down to clinch the set.
Alcaraz looked out of ideas and another break early in the fourth pushed him closer to the exit, but, on the ropes, the Spaniard punched back.
A pulsating 33-shot rally that left both men barely able to stand helped him save virtual match point at 2-4 15-40, but Alcaraz could not break the Djokovic serve and the 37-year-old roared in delight after a final backhand from the Spaniard hit the net.
Physical concerns
Djokovic admitted he was concerned about his physical state. “I have to assess the situation tomorrow when I wake up,” said Djokovic, who likened the injury to a hamstring tear he had in 2023, which did not stop him winning the tournament.
“I will try to do as much as I possibly can with my recovery team, with my physio, today, tomorrow, the next few days. Probably skip training tomorrow. I’ll see if I’m going to train in two days or not.
“I’ll take it day by day. Now it’s really about recovery. I’m concerned. I am, to be honest, physically. But, if I manage somehow to be physically good enough, I think mentally, emotionally, I’m as motivated as I can be.”
After Alcaraz’s final backhand hit the net, Djokovic roared in celebration towards his coach Andy Murray before hugging his former rival.
“I feel more and more connected with Andy every day,” said the Serbian. “We face challenges every single day. We try to make the most out of every day and grow together.”
