He reached his first Australian Open final the hard way, winning 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-7 (4), 7-5 in 5 hours, 27 minutes. After a medical timeout for treatment on his upper right leg, though, Alcaraz’s footwork wasn’t up to his usual standard. But he kept up the pressure and didn’t break back until Zverev was serving for the match in the 10th. More than four hours had elapsed when the match went to a fifth set — the first five-setter on the center court in 2026. “I’m just really happy to have the chance to play my first final here in Melbourne,” Alcaraz said.