Novak Djokovic produced but every other scarcely-believable comeback to stun Carlos Alcaraz in a mystery and achieve the Australian Open semi-finals.
The 37-year-old Serb defied damage, age and score to win 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 in opposition to his 21-year-old opponent in Melbourne.
Djokovic, going for a record-extending eleventh males’s singles identify, limped round Rod Laver Area on the finish of the primary set after struggling what looked to be a groin downside.
However, after going off court docket for remedy, he recovered impressively to proceed his bid for a twenty fifth Grand Slam triumph – which might be an all-time checklist.
Djokovic performed aggressively till the ache wore off, permitting him to transport extra freely and take regulate of the fit.
Spanish 3rd seed Alcaraz turned into more and more animated as he struggled to determine easy methods to flip an engrossing contest again in his favour.
When 7th seed Djokovic sealed victory – at 00:57 native time after a combat lasting 3 hours and 38 mins – he roared in opposition to trainer Andy Murray.
Djokovic and Alcaraz shared a heat include on the internet after a highly-anticipated fit which lived as much as the expectancy.
The defeat ends Alcaraz’s hopes – for now, no less than – of changing into the youngest guy to finish the occupation Grand Slam.
As a substitute it’s Djokovic who advances to the semi-finals, the place he’ll face German 2d seed Alexander Zverev on Friday.
