Is the Alcaraz/Zverev Semifinal the Best Match of 2026?
Alcaraz df. Zverev 6-4 7-6 6-7 6-7 7-5
In January, tennis fans may have already witnessed the greatest match of 2026 in the first semifinal of the Australian Open of 2026, where Carlos Alcaraz faced off against Alexander Zverev in the third longest match in Australian Open history, lasting 5 hours and 27 minutes. While their head-to-head before this match was 6-6, Alcaraz was the heavy favorite going into this semifinal. If Zverev wanted to win, he would have to serve big and play aggressively, unlike his normally passive, consistent style. Alcaraz started the match off well, looking impossible to break. Zverev played one bad game and Alcaraz took the first set. In the second set, Zverev capitalized on a bad game from Carlos and broke to serve for the set at 5-3. Alcaraz broke back and took the second set in a tiebreak, but he started to have physical issues with cramps.
In the third set, neither player was broken with Carlos up 5-4, and he ended up taking a medical timeout for his legs, struggling with cramps in the heat of Melbourne. In the next two service games for Zverev, he was two points away from defeat but came through to force a tiebreak and win the third set. In the fourth set, there were no breaks of serve again, and in another tiebreak, Zverev raised his level to force a deciding fifth set. In the first game of the final set, Zverev set the tone by breaking Alcaraz. He held until he was serving for the match at 5-4 after saving five break points in just the final set. However, Alcaraz broke back and held to go up 6-5, where he got a match point and hit a great passing shot to take the match.
There are great takeaways for both players in this match. Zverev has always been too passive at important moments and has always been the greatest player of all time to have never won a grand slam because of this. However, in this match, he played aggressively and started going for more in important points, showing some promise for future grand slams. Alcaraz showed amazing resilience and once again proves he is the best player in clutch moments. His record in five set matches is an unprecedented 15-1, his only loss coming to an in-form Berrettini when Alcaraz was only 18 years old. This will most likely be the best match of 2026. From the incredible comeback from Zverev to the resilience of Alcaraz through the cramps and breaking Zverev back when he was serving for the match, it’s safe to say it will be remembered as a classic and a great match from both players.