Australia Open: Alexander Zverev Battles Past Alcaraz For a Semi Final Meeting With Medvedev

Alexander Zverev who started the season on a strong note after winning the United cup with Germany achieved a huge victory on Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.

The 26-year-old and sixth-seeded German reached the Melbourne Park semifinals for the second time, defeating World No. 2 Alcaraz 6-1, 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-4 to earn his first Grand Slam victory over a Top 5 opponent.

“I was playing one of the best players in the world. Over the past two years he has been No. 1 or No. 2 constantly,” said Zverev in his on-court interview. “He’s won two Grand Slams, and when you are up 6-1, 6-3, 5-2, you start thinking.

“We are all human and it is a great honour to play against guys like him. When you’re so close to winning your brain starts going and it is not always helpful, but I’m happy that I got there in the end. I fought back quite well in the fourth set, didn’t let go and I’m very happy that I finished the match.”

Zverev now leads the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series 5-3. It was his second straight victory over Alcaraz; he also defeated the World No. 2 in November at the Nitto ATP Finals.

Zverev will play Daniil Medvedev in the semi-final in Melbourne. Medvedev defeated Hubert Hurkacz 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 to get to his third Australian Open semi-final

Although Medvedev has defeated his opponent 11-7 in their eighteen ATP Tour meetings, this will be their first encounter at a Grand Slam. The match on Friday will take place inside Rod Laver Arenal.