Carlos alcaraz is one step closer too claiming his first Australian Open title, defeating Alex de Miñaur in Tuesday’s quarterfinal to reach the semifinals at Melbourne Park. The 20-year-old Spaniard extinguished the last hope for a home country victory in the tournament,continuing a dominant run that has him favored to lift the trophy on January 28th. Alcaraz will now face Alexander Zverev, setting the stage for a compelling semifinal matchup between two of the sport’s brightest stars.
ATP Tour
Alcaraz Reaches Australian Open Semifinals
The Spaniard will face Zverev this Friday at Melbourne Park
January 27, 2026
David Gray/AFP via Getty Images
Carlos Alcaraz seeks his seventh Grand Slam title this week in Melbourne.
By Redacción ATP en Español
Even in a career defined by success, there’s always room for new milestones. Carlos Alcaraz stormed into his first Australian Open semifinal on Tuesday, just two wins away from making history at Melbourne Park. The Spaniard, vying for the one Grand Slam title missing from his impressive resume, defeated Alex de Miñaur 7-5, 6-2, 6-1, extinguishing the hopes of the last remaining Australian in the tournament. A packed Rod Laver Arena, overwhelmingly supporting the home favorite, couldn’t derail the relentless Spaniard, who appears unstoppable in the year’s first major.
To reach the penultimate round, Alcaraz had to navigate his most demanding match of the tournament, intensified by the day’s high temperatures. Across the net, de Miñaur showcased a mature performance, combining his trademark speed with a determined attacking approach. In a contest filled with extended rallies and powerful shots, Alcaraz demonstrated his remarkable resilience under pressure – a crucial attribute for anyone hoping to lift the trophy.
“I’m very happy with the level I’m showing in every match, since the first round,” said Alcaraz. “I’ve raised my level in each match. I was talking with my team about the need to be patient, because right now I want to achieve everything. They recommended that I be patient, the level would come. Today I felt very comfortable, playing good tennis, and I’m proud of that.”
Spanish Men with Most Grand Slam Semifinals (All Time)
The No. 1 seed in the PIF ATP Rankings quickly realized this match would be a hard-fought battle, marked by de Miñaur’s unwavering determination. In a tightly contested first set, Alcaraz weathered several breaks of serve (from 3-0 to 3-3, from 5-3 to 5-5), holding his nerve against the Australian before delivering a crucial psychological blow. The hour-long first set was a grueling test for de Miñaur, who was determined to challenge the top player in the world.
Unlike his previous meeting last year, where he managed only six games against Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinals, de Miñaur brought his best to the court and had opportunities to regain lost ground in every set. Alcaraz responded by maintaining unwavering concentration, breaking early in the second set (3-0) and punishing de Miñaur’s second serve throughout the match. He relentlessly pressured his opponent on every return, closing out the second set with another break to firmly establish control. Despite the Australian’s continued fight, Alcaraz refused to yield.
The atmosphere in the Rod Laver Arena shifted as local hopes began to fade. Despite his recent improvement, de Miñaur had never overcome a two-set deficit in a Grand Slam match, and doing so against Alcaraz would require a dramatic reversal of fortune. The Spaniard, digging deep until the very end, secured his 10th Grand Slam semifinal, a feat only Rafael Nadal achieved at a younger age.
In the semifinals, Alcaraz will face a familiar foe: Alexander Zverev, the defending runner-up and a player who defeated Alcaraz two years ago in Melbourne. Their Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry is perfectly balanced at 6-6, including a 2-2 record in Grand Slam matches.
With precocity as a constant companion throughout his career, Alcaraz is aiming to achieve another milestone alongside the greatest icons in ATP Tour history. At 22 years old, the Spaniard is looking to become the youngest player in the Open Era to win seven Grand Slam titles, surpassing a record held by Björn Borg since 1979.
In Melbourne, where Alcaraz is pushing his limits under the scorching summer sun, the final piece of his collection is just two matches away.
Did You Know…?
Carlos Alcaraz has become the 26th man in the Open Era to reach the semifinals of all four Grand Slam tournaments in singles. He is the fourth active player to achieve this milestone, joining Novak Djokovic, Marin Cilic, and Jannik Sinner.
