Carlos Alcaraz outlasts Alexander Zverev in third-longest match in Australian Open history to reach final
(Courtesy : AustralianOpen/Twitter)
The first semi-final of Australian Open 2026 went on for nearly 5.30 hours.
The Australian Open 2026 has delivered another chapter in its storied history of epic battles, with Carlos Alcaraz‘s grueling semifinal victory over Alexander Zverev slotting into third place on the list of the longest men’s singles matches ever played at Melbourne Park.
Clocking in at 5 hours and 27 minutes, Alcaraz edged Zverev 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5 on January 30, 2026, marking the longest semifinal in tournament history and the third-longest match overall at the Australian Open.
The World No. 1, who seemed to be cruising when he led by 2 sets, battled apparent cramps in his upper right leg from the third set onward, required a medical timeout and multiple treatments but summoned extraordinary resilience to rally from near-defeat.
After dropping the third and fourth sets in tiebreaks and falling behind early in the fifth, Alcaraz broke Zverev when the German served for the match at 5-4, then held and sealed victory to reach his maiden Australian Open final. This triumph also made him the youngest player in the Open Era to reach finals at all four Grand Slams.
This marathon now ranks behind two legendary encounters.
Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal – 2012 Final (5 hours 53 minutes)
Widely regarded as one of the greatest matches ever, this five-set thriller saw Djokovic prevail 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7(5), 7-5 in the longest Grand Slam final in history.
Both players pushed to physical extremes, with Djokovic collapsing in cramps post-match and Nadal barely able to stand. It remains the benchmark for endurance at Melbourne Park.
Andy Murray vs Thanasi Kokkinakis – 2023 Second Round (5 hours 45 minutes)
A dramatic four-set comeback for Murray (who won despite trailing two sets to one), this late-night epic showcased the Scot’s grit late in his career against the home favorite. It stands as the longest four-set match in Australian Open history.
Longest Australian Open matches
- 5hr 53m – Novak Djokovic-Rafael Nadal 2012 Final
- 5hr 45m – Andy Murray-Thanasi Kokkinakis 2023 R2
- 5hr 27m – Carlos Alcaraz-Alexander Zverev 2026 SF
- 5hr 24m – Rafael Nadal-Daniil Medvedev 2022 Final
How long did the Alcaraz vs Zverev semi-final at Australian Open 2026 last?
The match lasted 5 hours and 27 minutes, making it the longest semi-final in the tournament’s history.
Why is the Alcaraz vs Zverev match considered historic?
It ranks as the third-longest men’s singles match ever played at Melbourne Park and showcased Alcaraz’s remarkable resilience despite physical challenges.
Did Carlos Alcaraz suffer any injuries during the match?
Alcaraz battled cramps in his upper right leg from the third set onward and required medical treatment during the match.
How did Alcaraz win the final set against Zverev?
He broke Zverev’s serve at 5-4 when the German was serving for the match, then held his own serve to win the fifth set 7-5.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.