Karlos Alkaraz led Alexander Zverev 2-0 in sets and appeared certain to win, but cramps struck him in the third set, putting him on the brink of defeat. Despite the pain, Alkaraz managed to secure victory.

Alkaraz defeated Zverev 6:4, 7:6 (7-5), 6:7 (3-7), 6:7 (4-7), 7:5 in a five-hour, 27-minute epic, advancing to his first Australian Open final.

The win puts Alkaraz just steps away from completing a career Grand Slam, which would make him the youngest player ever to achieve it at 22 years old. Currently, the youngest is Rafael Nadal, who completed it at 24 after winning the 2010 US Open.

In the fifth set, Zverev broke immediately in the first game following a double fault from Alkaraz. From the middle of the third set through the end of the fourth, Alkaraz struggled, but in the fifth set he returned close to peak form in both serve speed and movement.

Zverev saved five break points across three games, but it wasn’t enough.

“I believed until the end and fought for every point—that was the key,” Alkaraz said.

At 4-5, Alkaraz hit a brilliant forehand winner to reach 15-40. Zverev was too passive in the game, allowing Alkaraz to even the score at 5-5. It was clear by then that the Spaniard was much closer to victory.

Zverev had a game point to force a super tiebreak but failed. On the first match point, Zverev attacked shallowly, and an excellent passing shot from Alkaraz sealed his triumph in an epic contest.

Zverev now painfully misses his fourth Grand Slam final and will likely replay the fifth set in his mind for a long time.

The first set went as expected—tight, until Zverev faltered. Alkaraz lost just five points on his serve, while Zverev saved a break point with an ace at 3-3. At 4-4, Alkaraz had another opportunity after a significant double fault, quickly closing out the first set. Zverev complained to his team that his racket wasn’t strung properly.

The second set was a rollercoaster. Zverev saved a break point in the first game, then capitalized on a poor service game from Alkaraz to break for 4-2. The German tightened up when serving for the set at 5-3, but Alkaraz seized the initiative again, breaking back to reach 5-5 and 15-40. Zverev fought back with precise serves and unexpected deep forehands.

A tiebreak followed. Strong Zverev serves and two devastating drop shots from Alkaraz led to a 5-5 tie before two crucial points swung the set to Alkaraz.

In the fifth set, Zverev again broke early after a double fault. Alkaraz had struggled from the third set through the fourth but returned near peak form in the decider.

Zverev saved five break points in three different games but could not finish the job. At 4-5, Alkaraz hit a stunning forehand winner to reach 15-40, forcing a new attack that brought the score to 5-5.

Zverev had a chance to force a super tiebreak but failed. On match point, his shallow attack allowed Alkaraz to hit a decisive passing shot, clinching an epic victory.

This battle showcased Alkaraz’s resilience, mental toughness, and attacking prowess under immense physical strain.

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Source: SportKlub; Foto: Printscreen X

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