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Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, battled through a problem with his leg to defeat Alexander Zverev by 6-4 7-6(5) 7-6(4) 6-7(3) 7-5 and reach the Australian Open final for the first time.
The world number 1 from Murcia looked to be on his way to victory in Melbourne, after winning the opening two sets. However, he struggled with mobility in the third and was forced into a medical break.
He had been sick and his backup team was telling him to drink water.
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Zverev alleged that Alcaraz, the Italian Jannik Sinner and Zverev were given preferential treatment because of their medical timeout.
“It is unbelievable that he receives treatment for cramps. This is BS.” The German told the umpire, “You are always protecting these guys.”
Alcaraz, 22, was unable to move at all after the problem occurred when he reached 4-4 in the final set of the third game. He lost the match in a tiebreak.
He relied on ball placement and striking to win and prolong the game.
The Spaniard fought hard, beating Zverev and will now try to recover before he meets either Novak Djokovic of Jannik Sinner on Sunday in the final.
With a win on Sunday, he would complete the set of four Grand Slams.
Alcaraz, who is no stranger to epic five setters on the big screen after winning the French Open final over Sinner in last year’s edition, said that belief was key to his victory in the Australian Open semi-final which lasted five hours and twenty-seven minutes.
Alcaraz, in an interview after his match, said: “I always tell you to believe in yourself no mater what you are struggling with.”
“I was struggling at the middle third set.” “Physically, it was the most challenging match I have played in my career.
“But, I have been in this situation before, played this type of game before.” I had put my heart and soul into the match. I did it, I fought until the last ball… I’m extremely proud of the way that I fought, the way that I came back in the fifth set.”
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