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Australian Open: More quarter-final misery for De Minaur as Alcaraz marches on to set up clash with Zverev

Carlos Alcaraz was too good for home hope Alex de Minaur

Alex de Minaur suffered more grand slam woe today after his bid to reach a maiden semi-final ended in disappointment at the Australian Open.

De Minaur has reached the last eight on six occasions but has failed to make the next step. That run continued on Rod Laver Arena when, having lost a pivotal first set to world number one Carlos Alcaraz, the Sydneysider was unable to stop the Spaniard running away with it.

Vamos so good, we had to run the whole point here 😏😎@wwos • @espn • @tntsports • @wowowtennis • #AO26 pic.twitter.com/l3zY2kC4bQ

Alcaraz eventually came through 7-5 6-2 6-1 to set up a semi-final clash against last year’s beaten finalist Alexander Zverev.

De Minaur said: “It wasn’t easy. Obviously, would have loved to have given more out there. Yeah, a little bit disappointed overall with the performance.

“Especially in those night conditions, he’s so strong. He’s able to generate so much force, and his unforced errors just almost disappear.

“In the past when the conditions have been a little bit quicker and skittier, I’ve been able to have some reward with some of my flat groundstrokes, especially into the backhand wing. But today there wasn’t really a whole lot of reward.”

The win moved Alcaraz one step closer to becoming the youngest man ever to win the career grand slam.

“I’m happy with the way I’m playing every match since the first round until now,” said Alcaraz, after he moved into the last four in Melbourne for the first time.

“I’m increasing my level every match.”

Zverev serves his way past Tien

That doesn’t bode well for Zverev, who beat American Learner Tien 6-3 6-7 (5/7) 6-1 7-6 (7/3).

The German was pushed all the way by the 20-year-old and admitted his serve had got him out of jail.

“Learner from the baseline was playing unbelievable. I don’t think I’ve played anyone who plays that well from the baseline for a very, very long time,” Zverev said.

“I don’t know what Michael Chang has done with him in the off-season, but the way he’s playing, it’s incredible. Without my 20 aces or something like that, I probably would not have won today. Obviously very happy with my serve, but yeah, just generally happy to be back in the semis.”

The final two quarter-finals take place tomorrow with 10-time champion Novak Djokovic taking on Lorenzo Musetti and second seed Jannik Sinner meeting big-serving American Ben Shelton.

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• Australian Open

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Jon has over 20 years' experience in sports journalism having worked at the Press Association, Goal and Stats Perform, covering three World Cups, an Olympics and numerous other major sporting events.

Jon has over 20 years' experience in sports journalism having worked at the Press Association, Goal and Stats Perform, covering three World Cups, an Olympics and numerous other major sporting events.

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