Zverev n'échappe pas à Alcatraz

Raquel Bermúdez Rodríguez | 30 Jan 2026 | 10.18

Zverev n'échappe pas à Alcatraz à l'Open d'Australie 2026. Photo : Getty.

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

Under the intense Melbourne sun, the initial exchanges between Carlos and Sascha showcased the challenging level ahead for both. Gradually finding his rhythm with his forehand, Alcaraz earned many free points from his serve from the start, all while attempting deep returns on his opponent's backhand.

Preferring precision over power, a display of tremendous maturity on the court, the Spaniard had the first break point of the match, but he struggled against Zverev's unreturnable 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 cruise control against Zverev in Australia

Holding firm on the other side with consistency, albeit without shining excessively, was enough for the world number one to claim the first set of the encounter, while Zverev pondered over his game plan options, looking somewhat downcast.

Covering the court as if in a video game, the player from Murcia gave his all to win every possible point. On the other side, the German tried to resist to keep adding points and stay in the fight. Despite feeling in great form tennis-wise, Alexander pushed from the return to take the lead on the scoreboard.

Zverev's joy was short-lived. With confidence and a secure game, Alcaraz attacked like no other to yield immediate results and find himself in a tiebreak moments later. He took his time to use the drop shot, but he certainly deployed it when needed to surprise his opponent. 'This is a mental battle,' Samu López told his student in the tense fluctuating tiebreak. Carlos managed to come back from a 2-5 deficit in that second set to continue without dropping a single set in Melbourne, exacerbating Alexander's wound as he refused to give up.

Conditions take over Zverev and Alcaraz

Focused on his game, the Spaniard didn't let up, though Zverev displayed signs of discomfort that hindered his ability to keep up a high pace. With over two hours on the court, both the German and the Spaniard began feeling the unbearable sensations of the high temperatures. While Alexander showed his fatigue in his movements, Alcaraz confessed to vomiting and feeling unwell.

Cramps set in for Carlos, barely able to move from the baseline, resorting to drop shots to speed up points and unable to jump on his serve. Even though Sascha complained to the chair umpire about giving the Spaniard some leeway, Alcaraz held on to reach the side change unscathed to try and ease the tension in his right thigh with the help of the physio.

In total frustration, an enraged Zverev had no choice but to strive to find an immediate winner. Putting his heart into his play from the baseline, Carlitos gave his all despite the anguish, but Zverev didn't miss his chance.

Alcaraz emerges from the ashes

"I ache from my foot to the last hair on my head," the player from Murcia confessed to his team as they encouraged him to stay calm. His feelings significantly improved, but the German raised his level of play, more comfortable as the pace of exchanges increased and the sun faded away. With assurance in his game, Zverev accelerated towards the fifth set after winning another tiebreak.

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

Creating unity with the crowd, the Spaniard tried to capitalize on all resources to maximize his energy on the court and give it one last shot. Pressing with his crosscourt backhand and also with his forehand, the player from Murcia raised the stakes, nearly perfecting his game to break down the German wall and restore parity on the scoreboard. With that high-level quality, Alcaraz continued pressuring from the return, avoiding the tiebreak to secure his spot in the Australian Open 2026 final.