Australian Open 2024: Alexander Zverev stunned the tennis world on January 24 as he knocked out World number 2 and hot favourite, Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter final of the Australian Open 2024. The German world number 6 had never defeated a top 5 player at Majors but that has now changed with the defeat of Alcaraz 6-1, 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-4.






 


With this defeat, Carlos Alcaraz has started his 2024 Grand Slam run on an average note as the Spaniard is almost a hot favourite in every Grand Slam he plays and anything short of a final appearance will seem like an underachievement for the two-time Grand Slam winner. On the other hand, German Alexander Zverev will be delighted as he had a thorn in his back of not defeating a top-5 seeded player at Majors until now.


Zverev will now be facing Daniil Medvedev of Russia in the second semi-final of the Australian Open 2024 after the world number 3 defeated Hubart Hurkacz in his quarter final match 7-6, 2-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.


"He's been number one and number two in the world and won two Grand Slams so when you're up 6-1 6-3 5-2 against a player like Carlos you start (over) thinking because we are all human. Your brain starts going and it's not always helpful but I'm happy I got there in the end. I fought back pretty well in the fourth set and didn't let go," said Alexander Zverev in his on-court interview.

 

Zverev required medical attention during the game and has a history of suffering with injuries.

 

"I have a lot of blood under my toenails. But I would rather feel the pain and be in the semis than be at home watching on TV. I'm ready to go again," he added.