Novak Djokovic overcomes Carlos Alcaraz but ‘worried’ by injury after epic Australian Open showdown – live

The Australian Open quarter-finals are underway and the opening grand slam of the season is bursting with stories as the second week of the tournament progresses.

Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka return as defending champions, and both world no. 1 remain the favorites to defend their titles.

But the challengers will be ready for the fight as Novak Djokovic set up a semi-final showdown with Alexander Zverev on the men’s side and Iga Swiatek looking strong on the women’s side.

Djokovic’s win against Alcaraz was the match of the tournament so far, but there are bound to be more twists and turns before the finals weekend.

Aryna Sabalenka will face close friend Paula Badosa in the semi-finals of the Australian Open after battling to victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

The two-time defending champion’s 18-game winning streak at Melbourne Park looked in serious jeopardy when she dropped the second set on a windy Rod Laver Arena.

Sabalenka struggled to control her emotions and Pavlyuchenkova went up twice early in the deciding set, but in the end the power of the top seed saw her to a 6-2 2-6 6-3 victory.

Sabalenka has now reached at least the last four in seven of her last eight grand slams – she missed Wimbledon last summer due to injury.

Djokovic will face Alexander Zverev after the German reached his third Australian Open semi-final with a four-set victory over American Tommy Paul, but only after a farcical tussle with the umpire over a feather that fell onto the court.

The second seed, who is bidding for a first grand slam title, had lost both of his previous meetings against Paul but proved stronger in the big moments to win 7-6 (1) 7-6 (0) 2 -6 6- 1.

But when a break down in the second set, trailing 4-2, Paul sent a serve down at deuce, but just as the rally was unfolding, a feather fell onto the court before the German could hit a sliced ​​backhand.

Umpire Forcadell called lightly and ordered the players to replay the point, prompting an angry response from Zverev.

Novak Djokovic said he chose to approach Andy Murray after beating Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open quarter-finals as a “gesture of appreciation” for his coach.

Djokovic braved an upper leg injury to defeat Alcaraz in four sets in a match the 10-time champion described as one of the toughest he has fought in Melbourne.

After winning match point at almost 1am, Djokovic turned to his trainer’s box and roared directly at Murray before shaking hands with Alcaraz at the net.

Carlos Alcaraz admitted he made a “big mistake” in his Australian Open quarter-final defeat to Novak Djokovic as he watched his opponent struggle with injury in the second set.

Djokovic managed to fight back from a set down to reach a 12th Australian Open in a vintage display from the 37-year-old, but Alcaraz said he let the Serb back into the match by taking his foot off the gas in the second set.

Djokovic took a medical timeout late in the first set and left the court before returning with ligaments around his left leg, and Alcaraz said he believed the match against the 24-time grand slam champion would get “easier” from there.

Djokovic admitted he would have pulled out of the match if he had gone two sets down to Alcaraz, but he began to play more aggressively in the rallies and survived to level the match before the painkillers kicked in at the start of the third set.

Novak Djokovic has revealed he was almost forced to retire from his “epic” quarter-final victory over Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open.

Djokovic secured victory in a thrilling four-set last-eight encounter, fighting back from a set down while battling injury.

The 24-time grand slam champion took an injury timeout at the end of the first set when Alcaraz pushed ahead and appeared in serious discomfort, but roared back to take the match in a vintage performance.

But the 37-year-old Serbian didn’t consider continuing at all as Alcaraz threatened to build a two-set advantage, with only his resurgence in leveling the match encouraging him to continue playing.

When Carlos Alcaraz saw his great rival Novak Djokovic limp off the court towards the end of the first set of their blockbuster Australian Open quarter-final, the 21-year-old admitted he felt a sense of relief. Alcaraz’s experience of the Olympic final at Roland Garros, where Djokovic raised his level to win his elusive gold medal last summer in a hugely emotional defeat of the young Spaniard, ensured he needed no reminder of just how formidable an opponent the 37- year olds still are. when it is completely fit.

But as Djokovic struggled to move from side to side, let alone return his groundstrokes on the run or break through his opponent from the back of the court, Alcaraz’s shoulders relaxed. Djokovic, head down, left Rod Laver Arena for a medical timeout, returning several minutes later with heavy bandages around his upper left leg. Moments later, Alcaraz finished the first set; after beating Djokovic in consecutive best-of-five Wimbledon finals, it looked like a long way back for the 10-time Australian Open champion.

But Alcaraz will not forget what happened next.

Novak Djokovic once again emerged as the Melbourne Park champion with a brilliant late-night win over young contender Carlos Alcaraz.

The 10-time Australian Open champion is just two wins away from a record 25th grand slam title after a 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 success ended at 12.57, which will have put the entire dressing room on the field. .

A potential concern for Djokovic, who next plays Alexander Zverev in his 50th slam semi-final, is a left leg problem that required treatment during the opening set, but he appeared to improve physically as the match went on.

Novak Djokovic reveals why he turned to celebrate with Andy Murray after winning match point against Carlos Alcaraz.

“I feel more and more connected to Andy every day. We face challenges every single day. People obviously don’t see it.

“We’re trying to make the most of every day and grow together. He’s been as committed to my career and this tournament as he can be.

“So it was kind of a gesture of appreciation, respect for him and the fact that he’s out there and he doesn’t have to be.

“He agreed to work with me. He gives all his support to me, to the whole team, and tries to make it work.

“This was a huge win for all of us, including Andy and myself, you know, for the relationship. Yeah, that’s why I went to him, because I just felt very grateful that he’s there.”

Novak Djokovic admitted he is “concerned” about his left leg injury as attention now turns to Friday’s Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev.

“I will assess the situation tomorrow when I wake up. I’m going to try to do as much as I possibly can with my recovery team, with my physical therapist today, tomorrow, the next few days. Probably skipping training tomorrow.

“I will see if I have to train in two days or not. I take it day by day. Now it’s really about restitution.

“I’m worried. I’m, to be honest, physically. But if somehow I manage to be physically good enough, I think mentally, emotionally, I’m as motivated as I can be.

“This match drains both players. Almost three and a half, four hours of incredible match, of high intensity, of course it has its mark.

“At the same time, I think it has more of an impact on the physical side rather than the mental and emotional side. In fact, it feels like you feed off that kind of victory.

“This is how I feel now. I hope to be able to physically move freely and be ready to play five sets.”