Carlos Alcaraz delivered a performance to remember at the 2026 Australian Open, dispatching Australia’s last hope, Alex De Minaur, with a commanding 7-5, 6-2, 6-1 victory under the bright lights of Rod Laver Arena. This impressive result not only propels the world No. 1 into his first-ever Australian Open semifinal but also places him tantalizingly close to achieving the prestigious Career Grand Slam—a collection of all four majors, something rarely accomplished, especially at such a tender age. With every electrifying shot and unwavering display of confidence, Alcaraz inches closer to cementing his legacy in the sport.
A fierce opening set: how De Minaur tested the best
The quarterfinal clash began with fireworks as De Minaur, fueled by the roaring Melbourne crowd, made it his mission to avoid being just another statistic in Alcaraz’s record books. Most had predicted a straightforward match, but De Minaur refused to lie down; he turned the first set into a tense battleground.
Set one featured a remarkable five service breaks. After falling behind 0-3, De Minaur clawed his way back, leveling at 3-3, then again at 5-5, showing grit and mental fortitude. The atmosphere crackled with every rally, especially with Australia’s hopes hanging in the balance. Yet, as pressure peaks, true champions rise: Alcaraz found another gear, breaking serve at the crucial moment to claim the set 7-5 with a display of relentless baseline aggression and strategic mastery.
Alcaraz steps on the gas: a display of pure dominance
It was from the second set on that Alcaraz truly put his foot to the floor. Switching up his tempo and unleashing a torrent of heavy forehands and flexible defense, he neutralized De Minaur’s game plan completely. The Spaniard’s ability to shift from defense to attack was on full display, leaving his opponent chasing shadows.
In the last two sets, De Minaur managed to secure just three games. Statistically, the gulf was clear:
- Alcaraz won an astonishing 76% of points on his first serve
- He converted 7 out of 16 break points
- The match was wrapped up in just 2 hours and 15 minutes
With this result, Alcaraz has now beaten De Minaur six times out of six, further asserting his dominance in this budding rivalry and boosting confidence for the next big challenge.
Familiar foe awaits: the clash with Zverev on the horizon
Having crashed out in the quarterfinals in both 2024 and 2025, Alcaraz’s advance to the last four signals a breakthrough. Awaiting him is Alexander Zverev, the German ace and current runner-up, who himself cruised through his quarterfinal. This upcoming semifinal is rich with subtext, recalling their 2024 Australian Open encounter where Zverev toppled Alcaraz in four hard-fought sets.
But this time, the stakes—and perhaps the momentum—are different. Alcaraz, yet to drop a set in the tournament, looks laser-focused on rewriting that history. Fans can expect a battle of power, stamina, and wills, as two of tennis’s biggest young stars square off with a spot in the final—and possibly a Career Grand Slam—on the line.
Beyond statistics: why this run matters
Alcaraz’s latest feat is more than just another win. It serves as a testament to his adaptability, hunger for greatness, and the dream shared by every young athlete: to achieve something truly historic.
- At just 22, he’s now within striking distance of joining the elite ranks who’ve won all four Grand Slam titles
- His ability to handle pressure moments and respond with inspired tennis has captured the imagination of fans worldwide