Carlos Alcaraz etched his name deeper into tennis lore with a Herculean 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5 victory over Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open semifinals. The marathon battle, stretching over five and a half hours on Friday, saw the world No. 1 conquer crippling cramps to reach his second straight AO final.

What began as a clinical performance from Alcaraz unraveled mid-match. Leading two sets to nil, the young Spaniard hobbled with leg cramps at 4-4 in the third, prompting a controversial medical timeout. Zverev, visibly frustrated, capitalized on Alcaraz’s restricted movement, forcing two tiebreak aces and evening the score.

In the fifth set, Zverev held a break advantage, sniffing victory after his spirited fightback. But Alcaraz, summoning warrior spirit, regained composure. His movement sharpened noticeably, and he pounced on Zverev’s waning energy, clinching the set 7-5. Collapsing post-match, Alcaraz rose to cheers, embodying unbreakable grit.

Earlier, Zverev broke early in the opener but faltered in a gripping second-set tiebreak where Alcaraz’s deft drop shots prevailed. The German’s powerful serves extended the drama, making this the tournament’s first five-setter. Alcaraz now eyes the title against Sinner or Djokovic in a blockbuster finale.

This win reinforces Alcaraz’s dominance in prolonged battles—he’s never lost a five-set match after winning the first two. Melbourne Park erupted for this display of endurance and skill, setting the stage for an unforgettable championship Sunday. Tennis at its rawest, most exhilarating best.