A battling Carlos Alcaraz said belief carried him through one of the toughest matches of his career as he defeated Alexander Zverev to reach his first Australian Open final on Friday.
The world number one edged the third seed 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (3-7), 6-7 (4-7), 7-5 in a gripping contest that lasted five hours and 27 minutes under punishing conditions in Melbourne.
Alcaraz will now face either Jannik Sinner or Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s final at Melbourne Park.
The Spaniard came close to elimination in the third set when he pulled up in visible pain at 4-4, appearing to suffer from cramp. He received treatment at the changeover, a moment that left Zverev visibly upset and in dispute with officials.
Medical timeouts are not permitted solely for muscle cramps, but Alcaraz was allowed to continue.
His movement was restricted, and he dropped his first set of the tournament soon after.
Despite clearly not being at full fitness, the 22-year-old refused to give in. As the match wore on, his movement improved, and his confidence returned.
YA HEAR THAT? CARLOS ALCARAZ IS GOING TO HIS FIRST AUSTRALIAN OPEN FINAL🗣️ pic.twitter.com/v6VIstSkWf
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) January 30, 2026Zverev broke early in the fifth set to move 2-0 ahead. However, Alcaraz clawed his way back, breaking serve twice and sealing a dramatic victory as the crowd roared him on.
The loss left Zverev devastated in another failed attempt to claim his first Grand Slam title. After the match, Alcaraz pointed to mental strength as the key factor.
“Believing all the time,” he said. “You have to believe in yourself no matter what you are going through.”
THE MOMENT CARLOS ALCARAZ REACHED HIS FIRST AUSTRALIAN OPEN FINAL.
The 3rd longest match in Australian Open history.
Almost 5 and a half hours.
Down 3-5 in the 5th set.
Look at his reaction.
This is what it means. 🥹
pic.twitter.com/RYdKC9gvQx
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 30, 2026“I was struggling in the third set. It was one of the most demanding matches of my career,” he added. “I had to put my heart into it and fight until the last ball.”
Alcaraz has already won two French Opens, two US Opens, and two Wimbledon titles.
The Australian Open has been the only Grand Slam missing from his collection.
If he wins on Sunday, he will become the youngest man in the Open era to complete a career Grand Slam. He would surpass Rafael Nadal, who achieved the feat at 24. Friday’s victory also made Alcaraz the youngest player to reach the men’s singles final at all four Grand Slams.
“I’m really happy to play my first final in Melbourne,” he said after collapsing to the court.
“It’s been a great two weeks, and my level is improving every day.”
