Alcaraz Reaches Maiden Australian Open Final After Epic Semifinal

World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz secured his maiden Australian Open final appearance Friday, defeating third seed Alexander Zverev in the longest semifinal in tournament history. The epic 5-hour, 27-minute battle ended 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5, with the Spanish champion rallying from 3-5 down in the decisive fifth set despite nursing an upper right leg injury.

A Historic Milestone for the Young Champion

The victory marks a remarkable achievement for the 22-year-old Alcaraz, who became the youngest player to reach all four major finals in the Open era. More significantly, he now stands one win away from completing the Career Grand Slam—winning singles titles at all four majors—potentially surpassing Rafael Nadal’s record as the youngest to achieve this feat.

Path to Glory Against Djokovic or Sinner

Alcaraz will face either defending champion Jannik Sinner or ten-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s final. Should he claim the title, Alcaraz would join tennis legends Pete Sampras and Rafael Nadal as the only players to capture their first Australian Open crown while holding the World No. 1 ranking.

The Spaniard’s journey showcases remarkable resilience, having previously reached the Australian Open quarterfinals in consecutive seasons. With his sights set on a seventh Grand Slam trophy, Alcaraz aims to cement his legacy while continuing his dominance on the ATP tour.