Australian Open:

Novak Djokovic against Carlos Alcaraz – LIVE today

Novak Djokovic Australian Open 2025

(Bild: APA/AFP/DAVID GRAY)

Novak Djokovic has reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open. The Serb defeated the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz 4:6, 6:4, 6:3 and 6:4 in a three-and-a-half-hour high-class encounter.

Novak Djokovic has won the first summit meeting at the Australian Open in Melbourne. The Serb beat Carlos Alcaraz in four sets 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in the quarter-final hit on Tuesday. The 37-year-old will now face Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals on Friday. The German also defeated the American Tommy Paul (USA-12) in four sets. Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa face each other in the women's semi-finals.

Carlos Alcaraz

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The world number one from Belarus won against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS-27) 6:2,2:6,6:3. The Spaniard had previously defeated Coco Gauff (USA-3) 7:5,6:4. "I was just praying today. It was very difficult to play, she played great and very aggressively. I'm super happy that I somehow won the match," said a relieved Sabalenka after losing her first set in Melbourne, not just in this tournament but since her first final in 2023. She is aiming for a hat-trick of titles "down under".

Novak Djokovic

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Djokovic got going after a break for treatment
Djokovic can win his 25th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. Alcaraz had already looked like the seemingly certain winner after 50 minutes. After trailing 0:2, the 21-year-old Iberian took the first set 6:4, and Djokovic was limping and having problems. The Serb received brief treatment outside the center court and his left thigh was bandaged. Djokovic then went on a run. He never fell behind again in sets two, three and four. After three hours and 38 minutes, Djokovic converted his first match point.

Zverev is now two wins away from the coveted first major title, but the next hurdle will be a very big one. And the German, seeded number two, didn't necessarily put in a title-worthy performance in the 3:28 hours against the American Tommy Paul in a 7:6(1),7:6(0),2:6,6:1.

Zverev: "Must be 0:2 down in sets"
Because the seemingly clear result of Zverev's four-set victory is deceptive. "To be honest, I must be 2-0 down in sets here, he played better than me," admitted the 2021 Olympic champion. "I'm very happy to be back in the semi-finals." He has reached the final round of the first major of the year for the third time, where he will face the winner of the clash between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz (2nd match after 09:00).

Zverev only really played like a title contender in the tiebreaks. In the first set, Paul had a set point at 6:5, in the second round the outsider was already leading 5:2 and missed another chance to win the set at 5:4. There was some excitement in the match when the umpire interrupted a rally because of a falling bird feather in accordance with the rules. This annoyed Zverev so much that he was given a warning.

Alexander Zverev

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Badosa surprised
The 27-year-old Badosa had already qualified for the semi-finals at a Grand Slam tournament for the first time. "I'm a bit emotional," said the Spaniard shortly after the biggest triumph of her career to date. "It's a dream come true for me." She had tried to play her best tennis against the 2023 US Open winner. "I think I did that." For the visibly disappointed Gauff, it was her first defeat after winning nine matches in a row earlier in the season.