Australian Open: ageless Novak Djokovic beats Carlos Alcaraz in 4 sets to reach semi-finals
Serbian gunning for 11th title in Melbourne and will next face No 2 seed Zverev as Aryna Sabalenka stays on course for third straight title
Ageless Novak Djokovic won an epic generational clash against Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday to stay on track for an 11th Australian Open title with Alexander Zverev next in the semi-finals.
The Serb, who is chasing a record 25th grand slam crown, outlasted the Spaniard, 16 years his junior, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 despite having his left thigh heavily strapped.
In the latest chapter of a generational rivalry that has played out on the biggest stages, including last year’s Paris Olympics gold medal match-up, it was the 37-year-old Djokovic who maintained his hard court dominance over Alcaraz.
Defeat was a blow for the 21-year-old Spaniard as the French Open and Wimbledon champion’s bid to become the youngest man to complete a career grand slam went up in flames, and he was left to digest his third loss to Djokovic on the surface.
Earlier, Aryna Sabalenka kept a historic Australian Open hat-trick on track as she battled past Russian 27th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 in the quarter-finals.
Sabalenka, the world No 1 from Belarus, will face Spain’s Paula Badosa for a place in the Melbourne final after the 11th seed beat Coco Gauff in straight sets.
