Match ReportSerbian wins second and third sets after losing first
January 21, 2025
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Novak Djokovic in action against Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open on Tuesday. By Sam Jacot
Novak Djokovic has taken command in his blockbuster Australian Open quarter-final clash against Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday night. The Serbian has won the third set to lead 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 after two hours and 34 minutes of tense action on Rod Laver Arena.
In windy conditions, Alcaraz used the drop shot to great effect in the first set to outmanoeuvre Djokovic, who received a medical timeout for an upper left leg issue at 4-5 in the first set. Alcaraz hit 10 more winners than the seventh seed in the opener (13-3), while he used his touch to exploit Djokovic’s hampered movement and lead.
Djokovic upped his aggression from the baseline in the second set though to gain a foothold. He minimised the length of rallies to counter his physical issues and levelled the match with his 11th winner of the set. The seventh seed continued to go on the attack in the third set, controlling the majority of rallies when he played proactively. He also capitalised on Alcaraz’s errors when the Spaniard was serving and produced his best tennis in pressure moments to move ahead.
Djokovic, who is being coached by Andy Murray at the first major of the season, is chasing a record-extending 11th Australian Open title and 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 Finals presented by PIF champion Hyeon Chung in the fourth round.
Djokovic dropped sets in his first two matches at this year’s event but was impressive against Czech seeds Tomas Machac and Jiri Lehecka, dispatching both in straight sets. The former No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings struggled to find his top level at the majors in 2024 and is aiming for his first victory against a Top 10 player at a Slam since the US Open in 2023, when he overcame Daniil Medvedev to capture his 24th major.
The seventh seed is aiming to reach his 50th major semi-final. If Djokovic advances, he will play second-seeded German Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals. Zverev defeated American Tommy Paul in four sets earlier on Tuesday.
In front of an electric crowd in Melbourne, breaks were exchanged across the first three games of the match. After Djokovic capitalised on a slow start from the Spaniard to move 2-0 ahead, Alcaraz gained an important foothold when he fired a backhand winner down the line to end a 26-shot rally and break straight back.
Both players struggled to find their best level in an opening set which was impacted by the wind, while Djokovic left the court to receive a medial timeout at 4-5, with his upper left leg taped. In contrast, Alcaraz looked fresher as the set went on and the third seed hit the drop shot to great effect throughout, using it well with the wind to outmanoeuvre Djokovic and gain the early advantage. The Serbian struggled with his movement at times in the opener and he was less aggressive in the first set, striking three winners compared to 13 from Alcaraz according to Infosys Stats.
Djokovic responded by racing into a 3-0 lead at the start of the second set as Alcaraz’s level slightly dipped. However, the 21-year-old re-engaged to gain the break of serve back and capitalised on Djokovic overhitting on the forehand wing to level at 3-3. The Spaniard caused Djokovic issues with his guile and power, but the Serbian was more proactive at the latter stage of the set. Djokovic minimised the length of rallies, upping the aggression to gain the decisive break of the set and level the match.
Djokovic continued to take large cuts of the ball off both wings to pressure Alcaraz in the third set. The Serbian struck 11 winners and committed just four unforced errors in the set, while he broke Alcaraz twice. The highlight of the set came on set point, when Djokovic won a mammoth 20-shot rally, which saw both players charge from side to side inside Rod Laver Arena. The Serbian let out a roar after leading for the first time.
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 the match around, he will become the second player in the Open Era to reach the semi-finals at all four majors aged 21 or under, joining Djokovic, who completed the set at age 20 when he won his first major at the Australian Open in 2008.
Alcaraz trails Djokovic 3-4 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series and is seeking his first win against the Serbian on a hard court. Djokovic won their previous two meetings on the surface in Cincinnati, a classic three-hour, 49-minute three-setter, and at the Nitto ATP Finals, with both matches in 2023.
