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Novak Djokovic, a 10-time Australian Open champion, triumphed in a thrilling rematch of the Paris 2024 gold medal clash, defeating Carlos Alcaraz to secure his spot in the semi-finals
In a gripping encounter at the Rod Laver Arena, Djokovic claimed victory with a scoreline of 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in the early hours of Wednesday, 22 January.
This marked the duo's first meeting since their iconic Olympic final, where Djokovic dominated in straight-set tiebreaks.
The three-and-a-half-hour showdown showcased exceptional tennis, featuring 10 converted break points—an element absent from their Olympic contest.
Djokovic’s victory propels him into his sixth Australian Open semi-final in seven years, with 2022 being the sole exception due to his absence.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz faces back-to-back quarterfinal exits in Melbourne, as his pursuit of a career Grand Slam continues.
Their match has already seen the pair make a bit of history, with the age gap—15 years and 349 days—the largest in a Slam quarter-final since Jimmy Connors v. Andre Agassi in the 1989 US Open.
Djokovic set to battle Alexander Zverev
Djokovic's win sees the Serbian set up a mouth-watering clash with World No. 2 Alexander Zverev in the semifinals as he bids to win his 11th Australian Open title.
Alcaraz's attention now turns to the Middle East, where he will play in Doha and Dubai before the French Open begins in May.
The semi-final between both sides is highly anticipated, as fans worldwide will be watching to see who advances to the competition's final on this year's Australian Open.