Novak Djokovic produced yet another scarcely-believable comeback to stun Carlos Alcaraz in a thriller to reach the Australian Open semi-finals.
The 37-year-old Serb defied injury, age and ranking to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 against his 21-year-old opponent in Melbourne.
Djokovic, going for a record-extending 11th men’s singles title, limped around Rod Laver Arena at the end of the first set after suffering what appeared to be a groin problem.
But, after going off court for treatment, he recovered impressively to continue his bid for a 25th Grand Slam triumph – which would be an all-time record.
Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka survived a scare against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to reach the semi-finals and continue her bid for a third straight Melbourne title.
The world number one is attempting to become the first woman since Martina Hingis 26 years ago to complete a ‘three-peat’ at the hard-court Grand Slam.
After racing through the first set, Sabalanka’s title hopes were left hanging by a thread as Pavlyuchenkova swept up the second and broke early in the decider.
But the Belarusian kept her cool to fight back and wrap up a 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 win.
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