Novak Djokovic could not chase his 11th Australian Open title. The Serb reached his 50th Major semi-final in Melbourne but stopped there, retiring against Alexander Zverev after dropping the opening set.
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Novak experienced a hamstring injury versus Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-final. The veteran prevailed but could not repeat that three days later. Helosta tight opener against Zverev before ending his campaign due to increased pain in his left leg.
Despite the setback,Djokovic left Melbourne with a couple of incredible records. By beating Carlos, Novak became the third-oldest player with a top-3 victory at Majors, joining Ken Rosewall and Roger Federer on the exclusive list.
The great Aussie turned 40 in 1974 but still played at a high level. Rosewall toppled John Newcombe at Wimbledon and the US Open, defeating one of the world's best players a couple of months before his 40th birthday! Roger Federer joined the party in 2019.
The Swiss maestro defeated his great rival Rafael Nadal in the Wimbledon semi-final in four sets, earning a notable win a month before turning 38. Novak entered the list at 37 years and eight months. The Serb toppled Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in three hours and 37 minutes!
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Djokovic injured his left leg in the opening set and received a medical timeout after the ninth game. The 24-time Major kept his composure and claimed the second set despite experiencing more issues. The medication started to work, and the veteran bested world no. 3 in sets three and four.
It was a tight battle, with Novak winning nine points more than Carlos. The Spaniard fired 50 winners and 40 unforced errors. He sprayed too many mistakes atthe pivotal points and lost focus despite a reliable start.
Novak played better in the pivotal moments and delivered a rock-solid victory en route to his 12th semi-final in Melbourne. The ten-time champion suffered four breaks and broke the young gun six times to build the advantage.
They traded breaks early in the opener. Djokovic missed a game point at 4-4 and sprayed a forehand error to drop serve. He received a medical timeout before Alcaraz wrapped up the set with a hold at love at 5-4. The Serb played better at the beginning of the second set.
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Novak recovered his game and delivered an early break in the second set for 3-0. Carlos pulled the break back in the fifth game after a volley error from the legend. The Spaniard saved two break points in the sixth game and leveled the score at 3-3, hoping for a complete comeback.
Djokovic claimed the ninth game and stepped in on the return at 5-4. World no. 7 grabbed a break at love with abackhand down the line return winner, clinching the set and gathering a massive boost. Carlos lost his focus in the first part of the third set.
He stayed unbroken in games two and four before missing his chances in game six. Alcaraz played a loose backhand to drop serve and fall 4-2 behind. World no. 3 pulled the break back in the seventh game for more drama.
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Unimpressed, Novak landed a forehand winner in the eighth game to secure another break and move 5-3 up. The veteran served for the set in game nine and held from 0-30 following a backhand attack, roaring toward the crowd and moving closer to the finish line.
Djokovic kicked off the fourth set with a break of serve. He saved a break point in the fourth game and held after deuces in the sixth for 4-2. Carlos saved a break point in game seven after a 36-stroke rally, remaining within one break deficit.
The young gun stepped in on the return in the eighth game. He created two break points and wasted them, missing the last chance to extend the battle. Novak fired a forehand winner to bring the game home and forge a 5-3 advantage.
Alcaraz prolonged the match with a service winner in game nine. Djokovic served for the win at 5-4 and drew the rival's mistake, sealing the deal and becoming the third-oldest player with a top-3 win at Majors.
