ATP Tour
Alcaraz beats Zverev in record 5:27 SF marathon to reach first Australian Open final
World number one will lift trophy in Melbourne to complete career Grand Slam
January 30, 2026
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after defeating Alexander Zverev in the longest semi-final in Australian Open history.
Andy West
Carlos Alcaraz reached his maiden Australian Open final in dramatic fashion on Friday afternoon, overcoming physical issues and rallying from the brink to beat Alexander Zverev in the marathon semi-finals.
Alcaraz, the No. 1 player in the PIF ATP rankings, defeated world No. 3 Zverev 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5 in an intense match at Rod Laver Arena that lasted 5 hours and 27 minutes, the longest semifinal in the tournament’s history. The Spaniard appeared to have recovered from an upper right leg injury sustained late in the third set, but he fought back to hold on 3-5 in the decider and collapsed in ecstasy after making his first finals appearance in Melbourne. He will compete for the trophy on Sunday against either Jannik Sinner or Novak Djokovic.
“Always believe,” Alcaraz said in an on-court interview when asked how he won the match. “I always say you have to believe in yourself, no matter if you’re struggling or what you’re going through. No matter what happens, you still have to always believe in yourself. I struggled in the middle of the third set. Physically, it was one of the most physically demanding matches I’ve ever played in my short career.
“I’ve been in this situation and I knew what I had to do. I had to put my heart and soul into the game. I think I did that and I fought until the last ball. I knew I was going to have a chance. I’m very proud of the way I fought and came back in the fifth set.”
Battle Royale🫡@carlosalcaraz In a battle that lasted 5 hours and 27 minutes, he defeated Zverev and scored his first goal @Australian Open final.#AO26 pic.twitter.com/a6SjWQHxCc
— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 30, 2026
With this win, Alcaraz is one victory away from becoming the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam (winning all four Grand Slam singles titles). However, what stands between Alcaraz and that history is his heavyweight showdown with one of his great rivals. World number two Sinner is the two-time defending champion at Melbourne Park, while Djokovic is a record 10-time Australian Open champion.
Alcaraz is the youngest player in the Open era to reach the finals of all four Grand Slam tournaments, and the 22-year-old Spaniard could now face Sinner in a fourth consecutive Grand Slam title showdown. Playing in his eighth major championship, the top seed will seek his seventh major on Sunday.
“I’m really happy to be playing my first final in Melbourne,” Alcaraz said. “It’s something I’ve been chasing, pursuing. To have the opportunity to fight for a championship. I think it’s been a great fight so far and my level has improved a lot. But I guess the one thing I’ll say is, if not [the fans]. It was such a pleasure to play in front of everyone. The way you guys push me forward in the game…I really appreciate your support. “
According to Infosys Stats, Alcaraz won 78% (35/45) of his shots in net during the epic victory. The 22-year-old now has a 15-1 record in fifth sets and leads 7-6 in his Lexus ATP Showdown series with Zverev. Meanwhile, Friday’s drubbing leaves 28-year-old Zverev still chasing his first Grand Slam title. The German is just three points away from victory as he aims to reach his second consecutive fourth Grand Slam final in Melbourne.
Alcaraz has not dropped a set in his first five matches in Melbourne and looks set to maintain his flawless performance after taking a two-set lead against Zverev. The top seed played typically elegant tennis when he needed it most, especially when he came back from 2-5 to seal the second set.
At 4-4, 15/15 in the third set, the real drama began. Serving at 4-4 in the third set, Alcaraz appeared to be stalled by a right leg injury. He twice received treatment from the tournament’s physio but he was unable to prevent Zverev from getting back into the game from there.
Alcaraz played extremely aggressively to shorten the game, which was competitive, but it didn’t seem to be enough. In the first set of the deciding set, Zverev broke his opponent’s serve and saved five break points in three service games, quickly chasing the score to 5-4.
Then Alcaraz made an incredible comeback. The Spaniard was free again, beating his opponents in four consecutive games and becoming the youngest player to reach the final of the four Grand Slams. On match point, Alcaraz passed a forehand low to the attacking Zverev, then collapsed on his back in delight as the German’s volley found the net.
