Novak Djokovic hits back to beat Carlos Alcaraz in Australian Open thriller
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Novak Djokovic proved himself the Melbourne Park master once again with a brilliant late-night victory over young pretender Carlos Alcaraz. The 10-time Australian Open champion is only two wins away from a record-breaking 25th grand slam title after a 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 success completed at 12.57am that will have put the whole locker room on notice.
A potential concern for Djokovic, who next plays second seed Alexander Zverev in what will be his 50th slam semi-final, is a left leg problem that required treatment during the opening set, but he seemed to improve physically as the match went on. Alcaraz trailed 3-4 in the head-to-head and had lost their last meeting in the Olympic final, but he felt like a solid favourite on age, form and having defeated his rival in back-to-back Wimbledon deciders.
He had never beaten Djokovic on hard courts, though, nor made it past the quarter-finals here, and the 37-year-old used all his experience of successful nights past on Rod Laver Arena to befuddle Alcaraz. 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.
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.
