Australian Open: Djokovic overcomes injury to win, Sabalenka survives scare

Novak Djokovic produced yet another scarcely-believable comeback to stun Carlos Alcaraz in a thriller and reach the Australian Open semi-finals. The 37-year-old Serb defied injury, age and ranking to win 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 against his 21-year-old opponent in Melbourne.

Djokovic, going for a record-extending 11th men’s singles title, limped around Rod Laver Arena at the end of the first set with a problem in his upper left leg.

But, after going off court for treatment, he recovered impressively to continue his bid for a 25th Grand Slam triumph – which would be an all-time record. Djokovic played aggressively until the pain wore off, which then allowed him to move more freely and take control.

Spanish third seed Alcaraz became increasingly animated as he struggled to figure out how to turn an engrossing contest back in his favour. When seventh seed Djokovic sealed victory – at 00:57 local time after a battle lasting three hours and 38 minutes – he roared towards coach Andy Murray.

Djokovic and Alcaraz shared a warm embrace at the net after a highly-anticipated match which lived up to the expectation. The defeat ends Alcaraz’s hopes – for now, at least – of becoming the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam. Instead it is Djokovic who advances to the semi-finals, where he will face German second seed Alexander Zverev on Friday.

Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka said she was “all over the place” as she survived a scare against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to reach the Australian Open semi-finals and continue her bid for a third straight Melbourne title.
   
The world number one is attempting to become the first woman since Martina Hingis 26 years ago to complete a ‘three-peat’ at the hard-court Grand Slam. After racing through the first set, Sabalanka’s title hopes were left hanging by a thread as Pavlyuchenkova swept up the second and broke early in the decider.
 
But the Belarusian kept her cool to fight back and wrap up a 6-2 2-6 6-3 win.
   
“I think it is good to have these tough battles and be tougher in the later stages of the tournament,” Sabalenka said.