Four months shy of his 38th birthday, Novak Djokovic continues to defy time and expectations, reaffirming his dominance in men’s tennis. The ten-time Australian Open champion delivered another masterclass at Melbourne Park, defeating world no. 3 Carlos Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 to secure his 50th Grand Slam semi-final appearance. This victory sets up a thrilling clash against world no. 2 Alexander Zverev.
The match showcased Djokovic’s resilience and tactical brilliance. Despite physical struggles early on, he regrouped to overcome the 21-year-old Spanish prodigy in what marked their fourth Grand Slam meeting. Djokovic now leads their head-to-head record at Majors 2-2, following his earlier triumph at Roland Garros 2023.
A Challenging Start
Djokovic faced adversity in the opening set. He secured an early break but soon relinquished his lead as Alcaraz found rhythm with a backhand down-the-line winner in the third game. Both players maintained their serves until Djokovic faltered in the ninth game, squandering a game point and conceding the break. The veteran then took a medical timeout, leaving the court momentarily.
Upon returning, Djokovic couldn’t stop Alcaraz from clinching the set 6-4 in 54 minutes, courtesy of a love hold punctuated by an ace.
The Turning Point
The second set saw a rejuvenated Djokovic. He broke Alcaraz early, racing to a 3-0 lead. Though Alcaraz managed to claw back to 3-2 after Djokovic’s volley error, the Serb’s determination shone through. After holding serve comfortably at 4-4, Djokovic pounced in the tenth game, converting his first set point with a stunning backhand down-the-line return to take the set 6-4.
Taking Control
The third set was a battle of wits and endurance. Alcaraz faltered on serve, committing costly errors that handed Djokovic a break for a 4-2 advantage. Although the Spaniard briefly rallied, breaking back to make it 4-3, Djokovic’s composure proved unshakable. The Serb broke again with a forehand winner and sealed the set 6-3 with a brilliant backhand passing shot, firmly establishing a two-sets-to-one lead.
Closing the Deal
Riding the momentum, Djokovic broke Alcaraz in the opening game of the fourth set. Despite facing break points in the fourth and eighth games, Djokovic held firm, delivering clutch serves and precise groundstrokes. Serving for the match at 5-4, he capitalized on Alcaraz’s errors to seal victory after three hours and 13 minutes.
This triumph underscores Djokovic’s enduring brilliance and adaptability. As he marches into his 50th Major semi-final, the tennis world is reminded that Novak Djokovic remains the man to beat, regardless of age.
