Australian Open 2026: Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner face Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals

Alcaraz had never been beyond the quarter-finals in Melbourne before this year, but the 22-year-old looks well placed to win the title and become the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam.

Alcaraz replaced Sinner at the top of the world rankings by winning the US Open in September, achieving form over two weeks that most observers consider the best of his career.

The six-time major champion says his performance so far at Melbourne Park has been “pretty close” to that standard.

The way he beat Australian Alex de Minaur, seeded sixth, in the quarter-finals – relying on his greater explosiveness and deft touch – was a stark example of how far Alcaraz and Sinner have come.

It was also a reminder of Alcaraz’s focus on improving his concentration during matches.

“Not going up and down in matches was one of the main goals for me,” he said.

“I’m just trying to play at the same level and have the same focus point after point after point.”

Zverev proved to be a tough match for Alcaraz, with the pair splitting their previous 12 meetings equally.

The 28-year-old’s giant serve remains his biggest weapon and he particularly excelled during his victories over Alcaraz.

This has also been key to Zverev’s progress in Melbourne – along with him being fully fit – as he looks to reach the final for the second year in a row.

Zverev lost all three of his Grand Slam finals and was often accused of being too passive in major matches.

“I’ve been working on improving my aggressive game,” he said after beating Lerner Tian in the quarter-finals. “I’ve been working on my first serve, my first forehand, and maybe more serves and volleys.”

“If these things work for me, I believe success will come.”