Alexander Zverev was one game away from a place in the Australian Open final…
But he couldn’t quite get over the line, as Zverev lost to Carlos Alcaraz, 4-6, 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 5-7, in a five-hour, 27-minute classic on Rod Laver Arena.
The German had fought back brilliantly from two sets down, taking advantage of Alcaraz’s cramps, to force a decider.
Unfortunately for Zverev, he ran out of gas by the end of the fifth set and failed to return to the Australian Open final.
Pat Cash doubts Alexander Zverev’s mental strength
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Cash commented on how much this defeat could take a toll on Zverev.
“It is very hard to finish off an injured player,” he said. “I couldn’t finish off Stefan Edberg here when he pulled a stomach muscle.
“You don’t want to change your game, start doing drop shots if it’s not your natural game. Then the mind games come in: what should I be doing?
“Should I be running him or not?”
Zverev is going to walk off and think ‘I couldn’t beat a guy who was on one leg for two sets.’ That is going to be highly damaging to him.
The world number three hasn’t beaten either Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner in his last eight matches against them at Grand Slam events.
Annabel Croft gives her take on Alcaraz vs Zverev showdown
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Annabel Croft reflected on the epic contest between Alcaraz and Zverev.
“That was absolutely breathtaking, what a dramatic match,” she said.
“What an incredible contest, this is what Grand Slam action is all about.
“It took us on so many twists and turns. A physical, mental, and brutal match. Alcaraz is a deserved winner.
“I don’t know how he found enough energy to pull through.”
Alcaraz will now face either Djokovic or Sinner in the 2026 Australian Open final on Sunday, February 1.
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