(No. 1) Carlos Alcaraz def. (No. 3) Alexander Zverev 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-7 (4), 7-5

Carlos Alcaraz advanced to his first Australian Open final on Friday, surviving physical adversity and mounting a stunning late comeback to defeat Alexander Zverev in a marathon five-set semifinal at Rod Laver Arena. The world No. 1 prevailed in five sets after five hours and 27 minutes, the longest semifinal in tournament history. At just 22 years old, Alcaraz became the youngest man in the Open Era to reach the final at all four Grand Slam tournaments.

Alcaraz appeared firmly in control early, racing to a two-set lead with his trademark blend of explosive offense and athletic defense. He had not dropped a set through his first five matches in Melbourne and was two points away from closing out the match in the third set, looking every bit like the player who has split the last eight major titles with Jannik Sinner.

Momentum shifted dramatically midway through the third set when Alcaraz began limping and clutching his upper right leg. After holding for 5-4, he took a medical timeout during the changeover, later revealing discomfort in his right adductor. His movement was visibly compromised, allowing Zverev to claw his way back into the contest and force a fifth set as the match turned into a test of endurance and resolve.

Zverev took control early in the decider, breaking serve in the opening game and eventually serving for the match at 5-4 after fending off multiple break points. With the German just three points from winning the match, Alcaraz appeared on the brink of defeat, struggling to shorten points and manage his physical limitations.

Then came the comeback. Moving more freely once again, Alcaraz elevated his aggression and reeled off four consecutive games, stunning Zverev and the Melbourne crowd. On match point, he rifled a forehand pass past Zverev before collapsing to the court to celebrate as Zverev’s final volley found the net.

Alcaraz finished the match winning 78% of his points at the net and showed extraordinary mental resilience in the closing stages. With the win, he moves one win away from becoming the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam. Standing between him and history is Novak Djokovic, a 10-time Australian Open champion in Sunday’s final.

(No. 4) Novak Djokovic def. (No. 2) Jannik Sinner 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4

Novak Djokovic had one of the most defiant performances of his career early Saturday morning, defeating Jannik Sinner in a five-set semifinal to reach his 11th Australian Open final. The 38-year-old prevailed in four hours and nine minutes, snapping a five-match losing streak against Sinner and moving within one win of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.

Sinner, the two-time defending champion, asserted control early, dictating play with clean baseline hitting to take the opening set. Even after Djokovic leveled the match in the second, Sinner reclaimed momentum in the third, continuing a recent pattern that had seen him dominate their rivalry and push Djokovic toward another semifinal exit.

This time, however, Djokovic raised his level defensively, repeatedly neutralizing Sinner’s power and surviving relentless pressure on serve. He saved 16 of 18 break points across the match, a testament to his composure under stress throughout the match.

Djokovic’s resurgence gained in the fourth set, where he saved two critical break points at 4-3 to force a decider. Despite visible fatigue, he continued to lean on his serve and precision groundstrokes, dragging Sinner into extended rallies and grinding down Sinner.

Sinner earned eight break-point chances in the fifth set, including three from 0-40, but Djokovic escaped each time. The Serbian finally found his lone break in the seventh game and held firm from there, sealing the win on his third match point before dropping to his knees in exhaustion and triumph.

The win ended Djokovic’s streak of semifinal losses at four consecutive majors and marked his first five-set match since the 2024 French Open. It also handed Sinner his first Australian Open loss since 2023 and continued the Italian’s struggles in ultra-long matches, falling to 0-9 in matches lasting more than three hours and 50 minutes.

Djokovic now advances to face Carlos Alcaraz in a blockbuster final, with history on the line. A win would make him the oldest man in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam title and extend his unmatched legacy at Melbourne Park, where he has never lost a final.