Carlos Alcaraz reached his first Australian Open final after coming back from the brink to defeat Alexander Zverev in a dramatic five-set match on Friday.
The world number one won 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (3-7), 6-7 (4-7), 7-5 in a match that lasted five hours and 27 minutes in Melbourne.
Alcaraz looked in control after winning the first two sets, but the match turned in the third set when he began to cramp while serving at 4-4.
The Spaniard needed a medical timeout and struggled to move and serve afterward, allowing Zverev to push the match into a deciding fifth set.
Zverev then took the lead in the final set and served for the match at 5-4. However, Alcaraz fought back, breaking Zverev to level the set and later breaking again to win the match.
The victory keeps Alcaraz on track to potentially become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam if he wins the title on Sunday.
Alcaraz credited the crowd for their support during the match, saying their encouragement helped him stay in the contest.
“I always say that you have to believe in yourself no matter what.
“I couldn’t be here right now without these guys [the crowd]. The way you pushed me back into the match on every point is crazy,” he added.
He will now face either Novak Djokovic or Jannik Sinner in the final, with Djokovic seeking a record 25th Grand Slam title.
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