World #1 Carlos Alcaraz is into his first-ever Australian Open semifinal after defeating home-crowd favourite Alex de Minaur 7-5 6-2 6-1 in the quarterfinals. The Spaniard, who had on two previous occasions reached and fallen at the quarterfinal stage in Melbourne, finally breached the door to the last four for the first time in his already historic career.
How did the Match Go
Alcaraz started the match where he had left off in the previous round, racing to an early break of serve. Soon, however, he lost momentum, dropping three straight games and going from a break up to just two points away from going a break down.
While Alcaraz made some uncharacteristic errors during this stretch, Alex de Minaur also played lights-out tennis, giving everything in the opening set. It nearly paid off, too, as the Australian came within a couple of points of going up a break and serving for the set on more than one occasion.
But when those chances failed to materialise, and it was instead Alcaraz who stole the first set, the match was effectively decided. The six-time Major champion went on to win 12 of the next 15 games in truly ruthless fashion. The Alcaraz avalanche soon began rolling, gathering momentum and speed, something that has become unstoppable for many over the past year, and it proved far too much for a resilient de Minaur, who by the end looked physically and emotionally spent.
Soon enough, the match was over. After what was as competitive a first set as any, the final two sets felt like a formality, flying by as Alcaraz pulled further and further away.
Alcaraz Reflects On Court
Speaking on court after the match, the Spaniard gave a quick summary of the match:
“I started the match really really well, hitting the ball really well. I think in just two games I made like 7 or 8 winners. It was a great level. With Alex you are always in a rush. So you want to hit the ball as hard as you can every ball, which is impossible against him. From 3-0 to 4-3, 4-4.. I just wanted everything in a rush. I took a moment, took a break… mentally I was always there… and I was more patient from 4-4 to the end of the match, which was great for me.”
This victory sets up a semifinal clash with Alexander Zverev, a player who has already beaten Alcaraz at this very tournament in the past.
But if the world #1 continues playing at the level he showed in the latter stages of this match, not only could revenge be on the cards, but history itself may be within reach by the end of the week.
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
