• Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev meet in the Australian Open 2026 men’s semifinal at Rod Laver Arena.
  • Serve dominance has defined the match; Zverev double-faulted to give Alcaraz a crucial break.
  • Alcaraz holds the momentum and is serving to close out a set as the Melbourne crowd backs the World No. 1.
  • Later: Jannik Sinner will face Novak Djokovic in the second semifinal.

Alcaraz takes momentum after Zverev error

Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 1, has pushed ahead in his Australian Open 2026 semifinal against Alexander Zverev. The match on Rod Laver Arena has largely been a serving contest, but a late lapse from Zverev gave Alcaraz a pivotal break — a double fault that handed Alcaraz a chance to serve for the set.

Score and key moments

Play-by-play updates showed tight games throughout, with both players holding serve often. At one point the scoreboard read Alcaraz 5-4 Zverev, with Alcaraz pressing as Zverev’s level dipped. Earlier exchanges featured blazing serves — Zverev regularly reaching speeds above 210 km/h — and several aces from both men.

Why the serve has mattered

Both players have relied on powerful serving to win free points and set up short rallies. Zverev’s serve has frequently rescued him from break points, but when pressure mounted he committed a double fault that shifted momentum. Alcaraz has also shown improved serving compared with their previous meeting, producing aces and easier holds.

Crowd, conditions and tactics

The Rod Laver crowd has loudly favored Alcaraz, with fans cheering big points and even prompting a brief reminder from the chair umpire to avoid noise during rallies. Conditions have been warm — around 30°C (86°F) — which commentators suggested can help the ball fly, a factor that favored Zverev earlier but has not stopped Alcaraz’s offensive court coverage.

Match strategy

Zverev sought to turn the match into a serving duel, using pace to keep Alcaraz off balance. Alcaraz countered by trying to return aggressively, opening the court with his forehand and mixing in slices, drops and lobs to test Zverev’s movement. The tactical battle has been as much about timing and serve placement as raw power.

What’s next

Alcaraz leads the momentum and will look to close out the set when he serves. The winner will advance to the final and face either Jannik Sinner or Novak Djokovic, who meet later on Rod Laver Arena.

How to watch: coverage is available on ESPN in the U.S., TNT Sports and Discovery+ in the U.K. and streaming via Fubo. For live updates and commentary, follow official AO channels and broadcasters.

Live score details and quotes were drawn from on-court reporting during the match.

Image Referance: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/australian-open-2026-live-updates-mens-semifinals-scores-results/6eQOdMoAniXJ/