Unseeded Carlos Alcaraz has reached his first Australian Open final after defeating Alexander Zverev in a tight five-set match. He will now face Novak Djokovic in the title clash, a feat that would be a record if he wins.

World number one Alcaraz defeated the third-seeded German 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (3/7), 6-7 (4/7), 7-5 on Friday. Similarly, Serbian player Djokovic defeated Yannick Sinner 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a fiercely competitive five-set semifinal. 

After the victory, Spanish star Alcaraz said that his belief in his game made him win the toughest match ever. Alcaraz was seen in pain in the third set, tied at 4-4. He had a muscle problem. At that point, he was given the opportunity to receive treatment. Zverev also argued with the match officials. The only reason for not being given a medical timeout in tennis is because of the muscle. Alcaraz then continued his match, but lost a set for the first time in the entire tournament. 

Despite not being 100% healthy, the 22-year-old Alcaraz did not give up and won the fifth and deciding set. With this, the dream of winning the first Grand Slam for the German player Zverev remained unfulfilled. After the match, Alcaraz said, ‘I had faith in myself throughout the match.’ He reached the final of a major tournament for the fourth time in a row and the eighth time overall.

He added, ‘No matter how unfavorable the situation is, you don’t lose faith in yourself. I had a hard time in the middle of the third set. It was the hardest match of my life so far.’ Alcaraz spent 5 hours and 27 minutes in the match.

Alcaraz has won two French Opens, two US Opens and two Wimbledon titles so far. But he could not win the title in Melbourne. If he wins in the final on Sunday, he will become the youngest player in modern tennis to win all four Grand Slam titles after Spain’s Rafael Nadal. Nadal achieved a similar feat at the age of 24.