Alcaraz, Sabalenka Qualify For Australian Open Semi-Final

World number one Carlos Alcaraz recorded a 7-5, 6-2, 6-1 win over Alex de Minaur at the Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday to qualify for the Australian Open semi-final.

The Spaniard qualified for the last four in Melbourne for the first time in his career with a dominant display.

He broke de Minaur early to take a 3-0 lead, but his serve came under scrutiny in the fifth game when he faced three break points.

De Minaur recovered to level in ‌the ninth game before losing the second set.

Alcaraz held on to seal the contest with a stunning performance in the third set.

At the age of 22, Alcaraz is the third-youngest player in the Open era to reach the men’s singles semi-final at all four Grand Slams – older only than Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

He will now take on Zverev in the semi-final on Friday.

The world number one was delighted to qualify for his first semi-final at the Australian Open.

Alcaraz said: “I’m happy with the way I am playing here. From the first round to now, I am increasing my level every match. My team told me after the first match that my level I want to play is going to come.

“Today I felt really comfortable, playing great tennis which I am proud about. I am really happy to get into the semi-final.

“Playing Alex is really difficult. I started the match really well but he makes it so you are in a rush all the time. You have to hit every ball as hard as you can which is impossible against him. It is always really difficult against Alex, you have to be focused on every ball.”

In the women’s category, Aryna Sabalenka defeated Iva Jovic 6-3 6-0 to book her place in the last four of the tournament.

American tennis star Coco Gauff suffered a 6-1, 6-2 to Elina Svitolina to crash out of the Australian Open.

She angrily smashed her racket after the defeat while calling for more privacy at the Australian Open.

Gauff said: “I tried to go somewhere where there were no cameras. Certain moments – the same thing happened to Aryna [Sabalenka] after I played her in the final of the US Open – I feel like they don’t need to broadcast

“So maybe some conversations can be had, because I feel like, at this tournament, the only private place we have is the locker room.”

Gauff had no regrets about her actions, saying: “I don’t want to lash out on my team. They’re good people. They don’t deserve that, and I know I’m emotional. So I just took the minute to go and do that.

“I don’t think it’s a bad thing. I try not to do it on the court in front of kids and things like that, but I do know I need to let out that emotion.”

Svitolina will face Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-final on Thursday.