Lorraine Williamson
For more than five hours in Melbourne, Carlos Alcaraz played on instinct, resilience, and sheer refusal to give in. By the end of it, Spain’s world number one was still standing — cramp-hit, exhausted, but through to his first Australian Open final.
Alcaraz sealed victory in a gripping five-set semi-final at Rod Laver Arena, booking his place in Sunday’s showpiece after one of the longest matches of this year’s tournament. It was a contest that swung repeatedly, tested physical limits, and underlined why the 22-year-old is already regarded as one of the sport’s defining figures.
A match that refused to end
The Spaniard had looked in trouble midway through the match as the intensity and Melbourne heat began to bite. Cramp slowed his movement and forced him to shorten points, but Alcaraz adapted, mixing touch with aggression to stay alive.
The deciding set became a battle of nerve as much as stamina. Alcaraz broke late, held his serve under pressure, and finally closed out a match that lasted well over five hours — an extraordinary display of endurance and mental strength on the biggest stage.
Speaking afterwards, he admitted the physical struggle but insisted retirement was never an option.
Carlos Alcaraz won US Open 2025 in style
A landmark moment for Spanish tennis
Reaching the final marks another major milestone in Alcaraz’s rapidly growing career. While he has already lifted Grand Slam titles elsewhere, the Australian Open had remained unfinished business.
Now, Spain will be represented in the men’s final in Melbourne, with Alcaraz one win away from adding another major trophy — and further cementing his status as the leading figure of a new era in men’s tennis.
His opponent will be confirmed after the second men’s semi-final between Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner, which was still pending at the time of writing.
What about British players?
There is no British interest left in the singles draws.
Cameron Norrie was the last British player standing in the men’s tournament but was eliminated earlier in the competition. In the women’s singles, Katie Boulter and Sonay Kartal both exited in the opening round.
British players do remain involved in doubles and wheelchair events, but the singles titles will be contested without UK representation this year.
Why this semi-final mattered
Matches like this shape tournaments — and careers. Alcaraz did not win by overpowering his opponent alone, but by adjusting, surviving, and trusting his tennis when his body was clearly under strain.
In Melbourne, that resilience has carried him all the way to the final weekend. Spain now waits to see whether this epic semi-final proves to be the defining step towards another Grand Slam triumph.
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