Australian Open 2024 results: Carlos Alcaraz loses to Alexander Zverev & Daniil Medvedev beats Hubert Hurkacz

Carlos Alcaraz was knocked out of the Australian Open as Alexander Zverev held off a spirited comeback by the Spaniard to win an absorbing quarter-final at 01:20 local time.

Germany’s Zverev was rewarded for a rapid start to win 6-1 6-3 6-7 (2-7) 6-4 against Spanish second seed Alcaraz.

Zverev served for victory at 5-3 in the third set but Alcaraz burst into life.

However, the sixth seed made no mistake the second time around to set up a semi-final with Daniil Medvedev.

Earlier on Wednesday, third seed Medvedev won 7-6 (7-4) 2-6 6-3 5-7 6-4 against Poland’s ninth seed Hubert Hurkacz.

The 27-year-old Russian is aiming for a second Grand Slam title after winning the 2021 US Open, while Zverev is searching for a first major triumph.

Zverev, 26, suffered a nasty injury when he tore ligaments in his right ankle during a French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal in 2022, but has returned to the top of the sport.

“It was a very difficult moment obviously in my career and in my life generally,” said Zverev, who found out during the Australian Open he will face a trial in May over domestic abuse allegations which he denies.

“I had to start from zero. I’m happy to be back in the top 10. I’m happy to be back in major semi-finals and hopefully playing for titles again.”

Medvedev and Zverev will meet when the men’s semi-finals take place on Friday, with defending champion Novak Djokovic facing Italian fourth seed Jannik Sinner.

Alcaraz had breezed through the Melbourne draw to the last eight, going through the gears at the kind of pace seemingly needed for a tilt at the title.

But he came unstuck as Zverev – who knocked out Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the previous round after a gruelling five-setter – produced his very best level in an inspired start.

Zverev used his huge first serve and heavy groundstrokes to devastating effect in a one-sided opening set.

Alcaraz won just two receiving points in the opener, and made 11 unforced errors, as Zverev took the lead in just 29 minutes.

With the majority of the crowd seemingly behind the Spaniard, a sense of shock swept around Rod Laver Arena.

It continued to linger as Zverev maintained a sky-high level, demonstrating the talent which has seen him long predicted to win one of the sport’s major prizes.

While Zverev will be aiming for his Melbourne final, Medvedev already has that experience, having been runner-up to Novak Djokovic in 2021 and Rafael Nadal in 2022.

Now he is one more victory away from a third shot at the title after seeing off Hurkacz.

“I feel a bit destroyed right now,” said Medvedev, who clinched victory in just under four hours.

“He played good, I won’t be tough on myself. I just had to try and do whatever I could. If I lose, I lose, it’s OK.”

Hurkacz is one of the finest servers in the game but Medvedev is one of the best returners – teeing up an intriguing duel between the pair.

Medvedev struck first by breaking the Pole’s serve early in the match but Hurkacz quickly recovered, before the Russian took control of the tie-break for the advantage.

With conditions again hot in Melbourne, Medvedev’s level dropped in the second set as Hurkacz picked up the pace in his groundstrokes as he moved level.

Medvedev recovered strongly at the start of third. Breaking confidently for 2-0, and digging deep to save five points in the games either side, was enough to regain his lead.

Another masterful returning game saw Medvedev go a break up early in the fourth and the contest looked to be heading towards a straightforward conclusion.

However, to the delight of the many Polish fans on Rod Laver Arena, Hurkacz hit back.

Rediscovering his confidence, the 2021 Wimbledon semi-finalist forced more mistakes from Medvedev and won five of the next six games to take the contest to a decider.

Neither player was troubled on serve in the opening six games until Hurkacz’s backhand was worn down by Medvedev and the Russian put away a volley on his first break point.

Still, it was not a simple ending. Medvedev faced another break point at 4-3, ducking under Hurkacz’s long return as he served and volleyed, then finally secured victory with a cute drop-shot on his first match point.