Australian Open Semi-final: Injured Alcaraz Drops Third Set as Zverev Stays Alive

The men’s singles semi-final at the Australian Open delivered high drama on Friday as Alexander Zverev mounted a spirited comeback to stay alive against Carlos Alcaraz, who appeared hampered by a physical issue during the third set at Rod Laver Arena.

Alcaraz, chasing his maiden Australian Open final, dominated the early phase of the contest and looked firmly in control after securing the opening two sets. The Spaniard claimed the first set 6–4 with confident baseline play and relentless court coverage, before edging a tense second-set tie-break to move within one set of victory.

However, the momentum of the match shifted dramatically in the third set as concerns emerged over Alcaraz’s fitness. Midway through the set, the 22-year-old was seen clutching the inside of his right thigh and moving gingerly between points. A medical timeout followed, prompting visible frustration from Zverev, who questioned the timing of the interruption.

Despite the physical discomfort, Alcaraz continued to compete with trademark intensity, pushing the third set into a tie-break. Yet, it was Zverev who seized the opportunity. Showing resilience and composure under pressure, the German fought back from difficult moments to clinch the tie-break 7–3, winning the set 7–6 and keeping his semi-final hopes alive.

Zverev’s response was marked by improved serving and greater aggression from the baseline, allowing him to withstand sustained pressure from Alcaraz. Although he squandered several chances at the net earlier in the match, the third set showcased his ability to raise his level when the stakes were highest.

The injury concern surrounding Alcaraz added an unexpected layer of uncertainty to a match that had initially seemed one-sided. While he remained competitive, his movement appeared restricted at key moments, giving Zverev openings that were largely absent in the first two sets.

Earlier in the contest, both players produced high-quality tennis, with long rallies and minimal errors. Zverev, in particular, relied heavily on his first serve to stay in contention, while Alcaraz’s defensive skills and counterpunching repeatedly tilted momentum in his favour.

The semi-final forms part of a blockbuster day at Melbourne Park, with another heavyweight clash scheduled later as Novak Djokovic prepares to face Jannik Sinner in the second men’s singles semi-final.

As the Alcaraz-Zverev match heads into the latter stages, the key question remains whether the Spaniard can overcome his apparent physical setback or if Zverev can capitalise on the shift in momentum to complete a remarkable turnaround. With a place in the Australian Open final at stake, the contest continues to balance finely between endurance, mental strength, and physical resilience.