Alcaraz Dominates De Minaur to Secure Australian Open Semi-Final Spot
Top seed Carlos Alcaraz has surged into the Australian Open semi-finals with a commanding victory over home favourite Alex de Minaur. The Spaniard secured a 7-5, 6-2, 6-1 win in just 136 minutes on Rod Laver Arena, putting him within two matches of his first title at Melbourne Park and a career grand slam.
Early Challenge Overcome as Alcaraz Takes Control
The highly anticipated quarter-final clash delivered a thrilling first set, where De Minaur showcased his skills and appeared to match the world number one. However, Alcaraz elevated his game after the one-hour mark, leaving the Australian struggling and frustrated behind the baseline. "I started really well, hitting the ball great, but Alex makes you feel rushed," Alcaraz commented post-match. "I had to take a moment to regain composure."
De Minaur, now the third man in the Open era to lose his first seven grand slam quarter-finals, fought valiantly but could not sustain his early momentum. Alcaraz broke serve early in each set, with the Australian's brief revival in the first frame ultimately undone by the Spaniard's powerful serve and relentless groundstrokes.
Historic Milestone Within Reach for Young Star
At just 22 years old, Alcaraz is poised to become the youngest man ever to achieve a career grand slam if he wins the Australian Open, surpassing Don Budge's record from 1938. His performance in Melbourne has been steadily improving, and he expressed confidence in his form as the tournament progresses.
The match unfolded under challenging conditions, with Melbourne experiencing record-breaking heat earlier in the day. Although the roof opened on Rod Laver Arena after a previous match, providing some relief, De Minaur could not capitalise on the change. Despite strong support from the 15,000-strong crowd, he faltered when serving to force a tiebreak in the first set, marking his closest chance at parity.
Next Challenge: A Revenge Mission Against Zverev
Alcaraz now faces Alexander Zverev in his maiden Australian Open semi-final, setting up a tantalising battle. The pair have split their 12 previous meetings evenly, with Alcaraz eager to avenge a quarter-final loss to Zverev in Melbourne last year. "We have to play tactically really well; it's going to be a great battle," Alcaraz said. "I'm looking forward to taking the revenge."
With De Minaur's exit, Australian hopes in the singles draw have ended, but three doubles teams remain in contention at Melbourne Park. Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans are through to the men's semi-finals, while Olivia Gadecki and John Peers advance in the mixed doubles. Kimberly Birrell and Talia Gibson will play their women's doubles quarter-final on Wednesday night.
