Alexander Zverev will face Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the 2025 Australian Open this afternoon (January 24). Immediately after losing the opening set 7-6 (5), Djokovic retired due to injury and was unable to continue playing. This will be the first time Zverev has reached the final in Melbourne.
The Serbian player chased Zverev throughout the opening set that lasted 1 hour and 21 minutes, but could not continue the fight. In the quarter-final against Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic also had to endure the pain of a thigh injury. After that intense match, his physical condition was no longer guaranteed to be able to compete against Zverev.
Asked if he recognised his opponent's problems, Zverev said: "I really thought it was an even set. But of course there were some problems and the longer we played, the worse it probably got.
In the tie-break, it seemed like he wasn't moving as well as he did in the whole first set. I think we had some long, tough, physical rallies."
In his third major final, Zverev awaits Jannik Sinner or Alex de Minaur. The other semi-final will take place on the afternoon of January 24.
Previously, the world number 2 lost the 2020 US Open final to Dominic Thiem and the 2024 French Open final to Alcaraz.
