MELBOURNE (Agencies): Carlos Alcaraz was knocked out of the Australian Open when Alexander Zverev held off a spirited comeback by the Spaniard to win an absorbing quarter-final at 01:20 local time.
Germany’s Zverev was rewarded for a rapid start to win 6-1 6-3 6-7 (2-7) 6-4 against Spanish second seed Alcaraz.
Zverev served for victory at 5-3 in the third set but Alcaraz burst into life.
However, the sixth seed made no mistake the second time around to set up a semi-final with Daniil Medvedev.
Earlier on Wednesday, third seed Medvedev won 7-6 (7-4) 2-6 6-3 5-7 6-4 against Poland’s ninth seed Hubert Hurkacz.
The 27-year-old Russian is aiming for a second Grand Slam title after winning the 2021 US Open, while Zverev is searching for a first major triumph.
Zverev, 26, suffered a nasty injury when he tore ligaments in his right ankle during a French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal in 2022, but has returned to the top of the sport.
“It was a very difficult moment obviously in my career and in my life generally,” said Zverev, who found out during the Australian Open he will face a trial in May over domestic abuse allegations which he denies.
“I had to start from zero. I’m happy to be back in the top 10. I’m happy to be back in major semi-finals and hopefully playing for titles again.”
Medvedev and Zverev will meet when the men’s semi-finals take place on Friday, with defending champion Novak Djokovic facing Italian fourth seed Jannik Sinner.
Fast start sees Zverev through
Alcaraz had breezed through the Melbourne draw to the last eight, going through the gears at the kind of pace seemingly needed for a tilt at the title.
But he came unstuck as Zverev – who knocked out Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the previous round in a gruelling five-setter – produced his very best level in an inspired start.
Zverev used his huge first serve and heavy groundstrokes to devastating effect in a one-sided opening set.
Alcaraz won just two receiving points in the opener, and made 11 unforced errors, as Zverev took the lead in just 29 minutes.
With the majority of the crowd seemingly behind the Spaniard, a sense of shock swept around Rod Laver Arena.
It continued to linger as Zverev maintained a sky-high level, demonstrating the talent which has seen him long predicted to win one of the sport’s major prizes.
Midway through the second set, Alcaraz finally started to find his range with the forehand before Zverev fought off two break points for 3-3.
But any thoughts from the Spanish fans it could be the start of a longer revival proved unfounded as Zverev won four games to a row for a two-set lead.
Zverev continued to apply pressure in the third set, moving 3-1 ahead when Alcaraz handed over another break with a double fault and a backhand long from deuce.
Serving for victory, Zverev dug himself out of trouble at 0-30 with two enormous first serves but Alcaraz – knowing it was now or never – responded again to break for the first time.
Suddenly Alcaraz had momentum. With his belief increasing, he walloped a series of stinging winners in the tie-break and provided hope to his vocal supporters.
Zverev received treatment on a foot issue before the fourth set and many of the thousands who had stayed on Rod Laver Arena beyond midnight might have envisaged seeing the contest go into a decider.
But Zverev ensured that did not happen. He broke for 5-4, helped by Alcaraz making three loose errors with his backhand, and did not miss a first serve as he wrapped up victory.
“When you’re up 6-1 6-3 5-2, you start thinking. I mean we’re all human. It’s not helpful,” said Zverev.
“I fought back quite well in the fourth set, didn’t let go and [was] very happy to finish the match.”
Medvedev digs deep to neutralise Hurkacz
While Zverev will be aiming for his Melbourne final, Medvedev already has that experience, having been runner-up to Novak Djokovic in 2021 and Rafael Nadal in 2022.
Now he is one more victory away from a third shot at the title after seeing off Hurkacz.
“I feel a bit destroyed right now,” said Medvedev, who clinched victory in just under four hours.
“He played good, I won’t be tough on myself. I just had to try and do whatever I could. If I lose, I lose, it’s OK.”
Hurkacz is one of the finest servers in the game but Medvedev is one of the best returners – teeing up an intriguing duel between the pair.
Medvedev struck first by breaking the Pole’s serve early in the match but Hurkacz quickly recovered, before the Russian took control of the tie-break for the advantage.
With conditions again hot in Melbourne, Medvedev’s level dropped in the second set as Hurkacz picked up the pace but the Russian recovered strongly at the start of third to move ahead again.
Another masterful returning game saw Medvedev go a break up early in the fourth and the contest looked to be heading towards a straightforward conclusion.
