Australian Open semi-finals
Crime against Alcaraz: Zverev forces the deciding sentence
Updated on 01/30/2026 – 09:12 amReading time: 4 minutes
Germany’s best tennis player has to survive against the world number one in order to make it to the final of the first Grand Slam tournament of the year again. Does the (almost) impossible work? Follow the final phase of the match in the live ticker.
Carlos Alcaraz – Alexander Zverev 6:4, 7:6 (7:5), 6:7 (3:7), 6:7 (4:7), 1:2
6:4, 7:6 (7:5), 6:7 (3:7), 6:7 (4:7), 1:2 – Alcaraz waits briefly because Zverev needs a moment to breathe. Then it happens quickly. A serve winner to make it 40:15, and the Spaniard shortened it.
6:4, 7:6 (7:5), 6:7 (3:7), 6:7 (4:7), 0:2 – Very strong from the German at the moment: He lets Alcaraz run a lot, the Spaniard tries to be active, but keeps running into his opponent’s counterattack. A passed ball makes it 30-0 at the net, and at the end he comes to the net and follows up with a volley. We are now at 4:20 hours into this match.
6:4, 7:6 (7:5), 6:7 (3:7), 6:7 (4:7), 0:1 – Break for Alexander Zverev to start this fifth set! With a 132 km/h forehand, Alcaraz only makes it 40:30. But Zverev doesn’t let himself be disturbed. One mistake by the Spaniard, another backhand that is too long, and the German has break ball. And gets the serve game – thanks to a double fault from his opponent!
6:4, 7:6 (7:5), 6:7 (3:7), 6:7 (4:7) – We have sentence compensation! Alexander Zverev forces the deciding set against Carlos Alcaraz. With a very strong cross he gives Alcaraz no chance.
6:4, 7:6 (7:5), 6:7 (3:7), 6:6 (4:6) – Zverev forces the Spaniard’s next backhand error and has two set points.
6:4, 7:6 (7:5), 6:7 (3:7), 6:6 (4:5) – Next mistake from Alcaraz.
6:4, 7:6 (7:5), 6:7 (3:7), 6:6 (4:4) – Zverev counters with one of his own.
6:4, 7:6 (7:5), 6:7 (3:7), 6:6 (4:3) – Service winner from Alcaraz.
6:4, 7:6 (7:5), 6:7 (3:7), 6:6 (3:3) – Take a deep breath from a German perspective. Because Alcaraz now also makes an unnecessary mistake and ends up out of bounds with a forehand.
6:4, 7:6 (7:5), 6:7 (3:7), 6:6 (3:2) – Why is Zverev hesitating? He doesn’t move forward consistently enough and promptly receives the Spaniard’s counterattack.
6:4, 7:6 (7:5), 6:7 (3:7), 6:6 (2:2) – Zverev cannot make any profit from his own serve. Alcaraz simply returns extremely strong.
6:4, 7:6 (7:5), 6:7 (3:7), 6:6 (1:2) – Very strong from Zverev! Alcaraz lures him back to the net with a stop. But the German brings the ball back, forces his opponent to react hastily and finishes with a volley into the open field.
