Novak Djokovic battled back from a set down to defeat young rival Carlos Alcaraz 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 at 12.57am to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
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 hardcourt dominance over Alcaraz to make it through to a landmark 50th Grand Slam semi-final against Alexander Zverez.
Coach Andy Murray, sat in the courtside box, also deserves credit because this was a tactical triumph as Djokovic blunted the firepower and spirit of his opponent before the 21-year-old rallied in a spectacular denouement.
Defeat was a blow for Alcaraz 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.
“Firstly I want to give my upmost respect and admiration for Carlos and everything he stands for – and what he has achieved so far in his young career,” said Djokovic.
“What a terrific guy he is and even better competitor… I just wish that this match today was the final, honestly.
“It’s one of the most epic matches I’ve played on this court – on any court, really.”
A potential concern for Djokovic is a left-leg problem that required treatment during the opening set, but he seemed to improve physically as the match went on.
“Since I’m still in the tournament, I don’t want to reveal too much obviously,” he said. “The medication started to kick in and it helped, no doubt.
“If I’d have lost the second set, I don’t know if I would have continued playing. But I felt better and better, and played a great couple of games to take the second set.
“I saw that Carlos was a little hesitant from the back of the court and I took my chances, started to feel better and move better.
“When the medication wears off, I’ll see what the reality is tomorrow morning. But right now I’ll just try to be in the moment and enjoy this victory.”
How Djokovic battled back to defeat Alcaraz…
It took both men a bit of time to settle into the contest in cool, windy conditions.
Despite one incredible volley winner, Alcaraz dropped serve in the second game amid a slew of errors, only to break straight back, striking a backhand winner down the line.
The contest then ticked along routinely until the ninth game when, after a long rally at 15-15, Djokovic crouched down wincing and gave a little shake of the head towards his box.
He managed to save two break points but not a third and swiftly headed off court for a medical timeout.
He returned with strapping visible on his left thigh and Alcaraz served out the set, but Djokovic showed positive signs early in the second, taking the fight to his young opponent and opening up a 3-0 lead.
It was a scrappy contest, with some moments of brilliance from both men but errors aplenty, and back came Alcaraz to level the match as Djokovic limped around the court.
But the Serbian has won the title here on more than one occasion despite being physically compromised and he produced a superb returning game to break serve again and take the set.
Djokovic had found a real groove on his ground strokes and particularly on return, piling the pressure on an increasingly frustrated Alcaraz.
He cracked at 2-3 only to hit straight back, but the Spaniard was shouting at himself again as Djokovic clinched a third straight break, sending a forehand arrowing into the corner and then putting his finger to his ear as he soaked up the cheers.
The 37-year-old had stayed supremely calm but he conducted his orchestra once more after coming from 0-30 down to clinch the set.
Alcaraz looked out of ideas and another break early in the fourth pushed him closer to the exit, but, on the ropes, the Spaniard punched back.
A pulsating 33-shot rally that left both men barely able to stand helped him save virtual match point at 2-4 15-40, but Alcaraz could not break the Djokovic serve and the 37-year-old roared in delight after a final backhand from the Spaniard hit the net.
‘Phenomenal performance from Djokovic’
Tim Henman, speaking on Eurosport:
“An absolutely phenomenal performance! After losing the first set, he really did look down and out – struggling with injury, but as the match went on he only got stronger and stronger.
“The quality from both players was exceptional.
“Djokovic really showed his experience. I think a lot of people, when struggling with an injury, would have been distracted.
“But actually he was clear in his mind about the way he needed to play, which was even more aggressive – and he still kept the unforced error count down.
“He was the better player on the night.”
Tale of the Tape
Djokovic vs Alcaraz: Momentum plots
Zverev seals date with Djokovic
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Alexander Zverev was angry when the umpire interrupted his match with Tommy Paul because a feather fell on the court
Earlier, German world No 2 Zverev reached his third semi-final in Melbourne with a four-set win over American Tommy Paul.
The second seed, who is bidding for a first Grand Slam title, had lost both his previous two meetings against Paul but proved the stronger in the big moments to win 7-6 (7-1) 7-6 (7-0) 2-6 6-1.
Paul, seeded 12th, served for both the first and second sets, but Zverev broke back on each occasion and played two excellent tie-breaks.
“I feel like I stole both of those sets in a way, because he was playing better than me,” said Zverev.
“In the tie-break, I played quite well. He maybe missed a little bit more than he should have. I’m happy that I won in four sets because this was a difficult one.”
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