World primary Carlos Alcaraz hits a return throughout his win over Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann. Photograph: AFP
MELBOURNE:
Carlos Alcaraz swept previous Novak Djokovic to win his first Australian Open on Sunday and develop into the youngest man to finish a profession Grand Slam, denying the Serbian nice an unprecedented twenty fifth main.
The Spaniard was imperious after a gradual begin in dismissing the 38-year-old, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 on Rod Laver Area to say a seventh Slam title and cement himself as undisputed world primary.
In doing so, he turned the youngest man within the Open period to win all 4 majors, including to his two titles every from Wimbledon and the French and US Opens.
At 22, he surpassed legendary countryman Rafael Nadal — within the crowd to witness the feat — who was two years older when he did the identical.
A seventh Slam put him alongside John McEnroe and Mats Wilander and one behind Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl.
It was a primary defeat for Djokovic in a Melbourne ultimate, having gained all 10 beforehand, leaving him nonetheless looking for a landmark twenty fifth main to higher Australia’s Margaret Court docket, who was additionally watching on centre court docket.
Djokovic, striving to develop into the oldest man to elevate a Grand Slam singles trophy, final gained one on the US Open in 2023. Since then Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have shared the spoils.
Each males battled by means of 5 lengthy units of their semi-finals, Alcaraz in opposition to Alexander Zverev and Djokovic with Sinner, and restoration was all the time going to be key after their bodily struggles.
However they confirmed few indicators of fatigue in one other gladatorial contest.
They each opened with snug holds earlier than a double fault and netted forehand offered the primary break level probability for Djokovic at 2-1.
Alcaraz saved it, however the aggressive fourth seed stored urgent and transformed on his third, then consolidated for a 4-1 lead.
Djokovic was studying Alcaraz’s serve properly and as soon as he obtained within the rallies was authoritative, with a sensational forehand winner incomes him two set factors.
He claimed the set in an announcement 33 minutes after a ninth unforced error from the highest seed, having dominated the large moments.
It was classic Djokovic, however Alcaraz got here storming again, upping the tempo to interrupt for 2-1 within the second set, pumping his fist when he saved a break level and held within the subsequent sport.
Djokovic put drops to his eyes and started rubbing them, unable to tame a now rampant Alcaraz who broke once more for 5-2.
There have been some sensational rallies that had the group on their toes in set three, which went with serve till Djokovic slapped a forehand huge beneath stress to slide 2-3 behind.
He gamely saved 4 set factors at 3-5 however along with his vitality ranges dropping was unable to avoid wasting a fifth because the Spaniard took management.
On the again foot, Djokovic then saved six break factors in an 11-minute opening service sport in set 4 to remain alive and stored combating onerous.
However Alcaraz floor him down and pounced as Djokovic served to remain within the match to seal a maiden Australian championship.
It ensured he remained world primary and Sinner two, with Djokovic transferring up a spot to a few forward of Zverev.
