Novak Djokovic equalizes against Carlos Alcaraz at Australian Open QF | ATP tour

Match report

Djokovic equalizes against Alcaraz in Australian Open QF blockbuster

The Serbian wins the second set

January 21, 2025

Novak Djokovic fought back in his blockbuster Australian Open quarter-final clash against Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday night. The Serb won the second set to level at 4-6, 6-4 after an hour and 44 minutes of tense action at Rod Laver Arena.

In windy conditions, Alcaraz used the drop shot to good effect in the first set to thwart Djokovic, who received a medical timeout for a problem in his upper left leg at 4-5 in the first game. The Serb managed 10 winning shots less than the Spaniard in the first set (3-13), while his movement was sometimes hampered. The 37-year-old, however, rejuvenated from the start of the second set to gain a foothold.

Djokovic showed few signs of physical impairment throughout the second set and focused on baseline rallies to force Alcaraz into errors. He recovered from wasting a break advantage and struck with consistent depth to put the Spaniard behind the baseline at times. The world No. 7 hit with more weight and intensity to earn the decisive break of the set in the 10th game, tying the match on his first set point with his 11th winner of the set.

Djokovic, who is coached by Andy Murray in the first major of the season, is seeking an 11th Australian Open title and a record 25th major. The last time the 37-year-old failed to reach the semi-finals in Melbourne was in 2018, when he lost to former Next Gen ATP champion presented by PIF champion Hyeon Chung in the fourth round.

Djokovic lost sets in his first two matches at this year’s event, but was impressive against Czech top seeds Tomas Machac and Jiri Lehecka, knocking them both out in straight sets. The former No. 1 player in the PIF ATP rankings has struggled to return to his peak at the majors in 2024 and is aiming for his first victory against a Top 10 player at a Grand Slam since the US Open in 2023 , when he defeated Daniil Medvedev to capture his 24th major.

The seventh seed is aiming to reach his 50th major semi-final. If Djokovic advances, he will face second-seeded German Alexander Zverev in the semifinals. Zverev beat American Tommy Paul in four sets earlier on Tuesday.

Alcaraz, 21, is aiming to become the youngest player to complete the career Grand Slam, having triumphed at the US Open (2022), Wimbledon (’23, ’24) and Roland Garros (’24). If the Spaniard can turn things around, he will become the second player in the Open Era to reach the semi-finals of all four majors at age 21 or younger, joining Djokovic, who completed the set at age 20 when he won his first major tournament. at the Australian Open in 2008.

Alcaraz trails Djokovic 3-4 in the Lexus ATP Head2Head Series and seeks his first victory against the Serbian on hard court. Djokovic won his previous two meetings on the surface in Cincinnati, a three-hour, 49-minute three-set classic, and at the Nitto ATP Finals, with both matches in 2023.

In front of an electric crowd in Melbourne, breaks were exchanged in the first three games of the match. After Djokovic took advantage of a slow start from the Spaniard to take a 2-0 lead, Alcaraz gained an important foothold when he fired a backhand winner down the line to end a 26-shot rally and go straight back.

Both players struggled to find their best in a first set that was impacted by wind, while Djokovic left the court to benefit from a medial timeout at 4-5, with his upper leg left saved. In contrast, Alcaraz looked fresher as the set progressed and the third seed landed the drop shot to great effect throughout, using it well with the wind to outwit Djokovic and take advantage from the start. The Serbian struggled with his moves at times in the first match and he was less aggressive in the first set, hitting three winners to Alcaraz’s 13 according to Infosys Stats.

Djokovic responded by taking a 3-0 lead early in the second set as Alcaraz’s level dipped slightly. However, the 21-year-old came back to recover the break of serve and took advantage of Djokovic’s excessive hitting on the forehand wing to level the score at 3-3. The Spaniard caused Djokovic problems with his trickery and power, but the Serb was more consistent in the final stage of the set. In true Djokovic fashion, he locked in from the baseline and refused to miss long baseline rallies to tie the match.