"Murmur no more. In this year's first match on Rod Laver Arena to go five sets, Carlos Alcaraz leapt off the canvas to outlast Alexander Zverev 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-7 (4), 7-5 over five hours and 27 minutes the third longest match in Australian Open history. It was so long it pushed the second men's semi-final back more than an hour and left thousands watching on big screens around Melbourne Park."
"Alcaraz took on fluids and received massages, including in a controversial medical timeout opposed by Zverev, and rediscovered his form. But the German remained focused, and quashed Alcaraz's revival by staring him down in the fourth set tie-break and then breaking early in the fifth. All he needed to do was rely on his potent serve and serve it out. Spoiler alert: this was not that kind of match."
The match on Rod Laver Arena stretched five hours and 27 minutes, the third-longest in Australian Open history. Carlos Alcaraz defeated Alexander Zverev 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-7 (4), 7-5 after a brutal five-set battle. Alcaraz suffered severe cramping in the third set, requiring fluids and massages including a controversial medical timeout, which allowed Zverev to regain momentum. Zverev dominated the fourth-set tiebreak and broke early in the fifth, but Alcaraz recovered physically and mounted a decisive late charge. The match delayed the second semi-final and captivated thousands on big screens. Physical endurance, serving potency, and shifting momentum defined the contest.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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