World No. 2 Alexander Zverev has advanced to his third Major final at the Australian Open in dramatic fashion, defeating ten-time champion Novak Djokovic. The much-anticipated clash ended prematurely when Djokovic retired due to a leg injury sustained earlier in the tournament. Zverev took the opening set 7-6 in a grueling 80-minute battle before Djokovic conceded, marking an unfortunate end to his campaign.
The first set was a thrilling contest, with both players pushing each other to the limits. Zverev displayed nerves of steel in the tie-break, capitalizing on a rare error from Djokovic, who missed a volley at 5-6. The German’s consistent serve and aggressive shot-making made the difference, as he landed 24 winners and committed only 15 unforced errors. He also served at an impressive 76%, dropping just seven points behind his initial shot.
Djokovic, on the other hand, showed signs of discomfort from the outset. The 22-time Grand Slam champion had been battling a leg injury sustained during his quarter-final win over Carlos Alcaraz. He skipped training sessions on Wednesday and Thursday to focus on recovery and preparation for the semi-final. Despite his valiant effort to compete, the injury proved too much, and Djokovic retired after the first set.
Zverev expressed mixed emotions about the victory, acknowledging Djokovic’s incredible effort and wishing him a speedy recovery. “It’s never the way you want to win a match, especially against someone like Novak, who has done so much for the sport,” Zverev said in his post-match interview.
This marked the first time Djokovic retired from a Grand Slam match since the 2019 US Open, highlighting the severity of his condition. The veteran fought hard to remain competitive, fending off five break points in the first set and creating three opportunities to break Zverev’s serve. However, his body ultimately could not endure the intensity of the match.
For Zverev, the victory propels him to his third Grand Slam final, where he will face either Jannik Sinner or Ben Shelton. The German is seeking his maiden Major title, having come close at the 2020 US Open and 2023 Wimbledon.
The Australian Open has once again proven to be a stage for drama, resilience, and emotional highs and lows. While Zverev advances with hope, Djokovic’s early exit leaves fans disappointed but grateful for another memorable campaign from the Serbian great.
The tennis world now turns its attention to Sunday’s final, where Zverev will look to etch his name into the history books.
