Zverev can't escape Alcatraz

Raquel Bermúdez Rodríguez | 30 Jan 2026 | 10.18

Zverev can't escape Alcatraz at the 2026 Australian Open. Photo: Getty

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Carlos Alcaraz pulled off an epic performance to withstand a battle filled with drama against Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open 2026. The Spanish player needed 5 hours and 27 minutes to defeat the German with a scoreline of 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), and 7-5 to make history in Melbourne.

Under the intense Melbourne sun, the initial exchanges between Carlos and Sascha unveiled the high level they both had ahead of them. Gradually finding his rhythm with his forehand, Alcaraz earned many free points right from the start with his serve, all while trying to return deep against his opponent's backhand.

Opting for precision over power, a display of tremendous maturity on the court, the Spaniard had the first break point of the match but could do little against Zverev's unplayable serves. The second time was the charm for Alcaraz, who didn't hesitate to roar loudly against an increasingly uncomfortable Zverev from the baseline.

Alcaraz starts with a flying start against Zverev in Australia

Holding steady on the other side, being consistent yet not overly flashy, was enough for the world number one to claim the first set of the match, while Zverev pondered over the options of his game plan, somewhat dejected.

Covering the court as if in a video game, the youngster from Murcia left it all out there to accumulate every possible point. Meanwhile, the German tried to resist to keep adding to stay fully in the fight. Despite feeling in a great tennis moment, Alexander pushed from the return to edge ahead on the scoreboard.

The joy for Zverev was short-lived. With confidence and security in his tennis, Alcaraz attacked like no other to gain immediate results and set up a tiebreak shortly after. He hesitated to use the drop shot but certainly employed it when needed to surprise his opponent. 'This is a mental battle,' Samu López told his protege due to the tension of a tiebreak full of ups and downs. Carlos managed to come back from a 2-5 deficit in that second set to continue not dropping a single set in Melbourne, deepening the wound for a Zverev who didn't give up.

Conditions take hold of Zverev and Alcaraz

Focused on his game, the Spaniard didn’t let up, although Zverev showed signs of discomfort that hindered him from maintaining a high pace. With over two hours on the court, both the German and the Spaniard began to feel the unbearable sensations of high temperatures. While Alexander displayed fatigue in his movement, Alcaraz admitted to vomiting and not knowing what was happening.

Cramps hit Carlos, barely able to move from the back of the court, resorting to drop shots to hasten points and unable to jump on his serve. Even though Sascha complained to the chair umpire for giving the Spaniard a bit more leeway, Alcaraz held on to reach the side change without injury to attempt to ease the tension in his right thigh with the physio's help.

Amid a completely outraged Zverev, the world number one had to go for broke to find an immediate winner. Giving his all from the baseline, Carlos gave all he had left in the tank despite the anguish, but Zverev didn't forgive.

Alcaraz rises from his ashes

"I hurt from head to toe," the youngster from Murcia confessed to his team as they encouraged him to stay calm. The sensations notably improved, but the German raised his level of tennis, becoming more comfortable as the pace of the rallies increased and the sun set. With confidence in his game, Zverev surged towards the fifth set after clinching another tiebreak.

From corner to corner, painting the lines, Alexander spared very few balls, displaying his best self at the Rod Laver Arena, hitting running winners that left the crowd speechless. With a break in hand, the German made things very challenging for an Alcaraz who unleashed his shots to make it clear that he wasn’t giving up, albeit without reward.

Establishing rapport with the crowd, the Spaniard tried to utilize all resources to maximize his energy on the court and give it one last shot. Squeezing with his crosscourt backhand and his forehand, the young Spaniard upped the ante, nearing perfection to break down the German wall and restore parity to the score. With that high level of quality, Alcaraz continued pressing from the return and managed to avoid the tiebreak to confirm his qualification for the grand final of the Australian Open 2026.