AO 2025 - QF: Defiant Djokovic delivers in battle of generations

Paula Badosa also made a Grand Slam breakthrough Down Under to meet Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals.

Novak Djokovic / Quarts de finale Open d'Australie 2025©Corinne Dubreuil / FFT
 - Alex Sharp

Novak Djokovic versus Carlos Alcaraz instalment VIII certainly lived up to the hype.

The clash of generations capped a remarkable day at Australian Open 2025 as world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa also booked their semi-final spots. Here is the latest from Melbourne Park…

Two phenomenal players, one special rivalry

Never, ever count out Novak Djokovic.

The men's all-time leading major winner is now just two matches away from an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title following a rock n'roll 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 triumph over Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday night.

There were a collection of rallies that defied belief, their athleticism, their anticipation was a treat to observe. Djokovic, at 37-years-old, flicked defense into attack during a 22-shot rally to snatch away the second set. Cupping his ear to the crowd, we've seen this movie before.

Into the third set, the level reached computer game tennis, both Alcaraz and Djokovic went hunched over at the conclusion of an energy-zapping 33-shot rally. Alcaraz, in the heat of the battle, could only laugh. Watch it for yourself below…

Physically hampered by a left leg issue throughout, the Serbian somehow booked a 12th Australian Open semi-final, his 50th in Grand Slams, demonstrating why he is a 10-time champion on Rod Laver Arena.

"I guess I did it with my two legs and two arms! I had one and a half legs actually," joked Djokovic. "I want to say my utmost respect and admiration for Carlos, everything he stands for and what he has already achieved in his young career… I just wish this match today was the final.

"That was just one of the most epic matches I have played on this court, on any court really!"

Physical concerns aren't going to derail Djokovic's drive for tennis immortality with title No.100, major No.25, within reach.

"Back in 2023, I actually had a similar injury and I carried it basically from the beginning of the tournament," stated Djokovic, who went to hug rival-turned-coach Andy Murray after match point.

"In that perspective, I think it does help mentally because all of a sudden you just start to play a bit more aggressively and you play through your shots more. I guess that's going to be necessary for me when I face Sascha Zverev in the semi-finals."

Earlier on Tuesday, No.2 seed Alexander Zverev erased set point deficits in the opening two, before muscling past Tommy Paul 7-6(1), 7-6(0), 2-6, 6-1.  

"I’m obviously extremely happy to be back in the semi-finals,” said the 27-year-old, who lost in the Final Four at Melbourne Park in 2020 and 2024.

“I'm going to do everything I can to be in another final on Sunday. Lifting the trophy is what’s on my mind.”

Third time lucky for Badosa

Moments after falling to the court in pure elation, then soaking in a warm round of applause, Paula Badosa signed the courtside broadcast camera with “a la tercera va la vencida.”

The Spanish phrase translates to 'third time's the charm.' The former world No.2 couldn't get over the line in the Elite 8 at Roland-Garros 2021, or at the US Open last year.

On Tuesday it was a different tale, Badosa banishing concerns over possibly retiring in 2024, erasing previous Grand Slam heartbreak, to stun No.3 seed Coco Gauff 7-5, 6-4 in a compelling battle.

"The last two (major quarter-finals), I didn't leave with a good feeling, so today I didn't want to do that," said the Spaniard, after achieving her first Top 10 win at a Grand Slam.

"Even win or lose, I wanted to go for it and be aggressive and play my game and don't have regrets. That's was my plan since the first minute I stepped on the court." 

Gauff had launched her 2025 campaign with a 9-0 record. On top of that, the American had overhauled Badosa from a set down in both of their 2024 encounters in Rome and Beijing.

“The last two times I played against her, and of course it was on my mind, I was a set and a break up,” admitted the world No.12, serving out victory at the second time of asking.

“The last two times she brought her level very high, even better when she was down. So I was quite expecting that from her side, especially in the 5-2, because I didn't do anything wrong. She just played unreal.

"5-4 I stopped thinking a little bit, about Coco, the match and the entire atmosphere, and I was with myself. I think I served really, really well there.

"I'm really happy to be in the semi-finals for the first time. Last Slam was very tough for me, losing in the quarter-finals, but I think I learned from that."

Three-peat on track… just

Badosa will meet close friend Aryna Sabalenka in Thursday's semi-final after the two-time defending champion was pushed to the limit on Rod Laver Arena.

The world No.1 dropped a set at the Australian Open for just the second time in three years, to nullify the power play from No.27 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2, 2-6, 6-3.

Sabalenka's 19th consecutive win in Melbourne means the ultra-consistent top seed is the first woman to reach six consecutive Grand Slam singles semi-finals on hard courts since Serena Williams in 2017.

It was a Serena style fight to survive. 

“Honestly I was just praying, trying to put the ball back in the court in these tough conditions,” said Sabalenka, fending off Pavlyuchenkova's fierce striking and the strong breeze.

“It was very difficult to play. She played amazing tennis, very aggressive, I’m just super happy I was somehow magically able to win this match.

“Sometimes it’s maybe good to have these tough battles, to go through it, to be tougher for the last stages of the tournament."

It's that kind of champion (or let's say tiger) mindset that has yielded 32 victories in her past 33 matches.

Sabalenka is edging towards a third successive Australian Open crown, which has only been achieved by five other women - Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles and most recently Martina Hingis in 1997-99.

"I'm really happy that I put myself in this situation where I have opportunity to became one of them," added Sabalenka. "To be next to those names, wow, that's just a dream. Of course, it always been in the back of my mind that I can do that. But my main focus is step by step.

"I know that if I'll be able to bring my best tennis on each game, if not the best tennis, then the best fight spirit, I know that I'm capable of doing that."