Alexander Zverev will play Carlos Alcaraz for the 13th time in his career when they face off in the Australian Open semi-finals.
Zverev, who defeated Learner Tien in the quarter-finals, has a 6-6 record against Alcaraz heading into Friday’s clash.
The German star, who John McEnroe claimed is the best player to never win a Grand Slam title, will hope to reach a second consecutive Australian Open final when he plays the Spaniard.
Who is going to win the men’s Australian Open?
Alcaraz presents an extremely tough test for Zverev; the Spaniard is yet to drop a set at the tournament as he aims to complete the ‘Career Grand Slam.’
However, Zverev can beat Alcaraz, as he has demonstrated in the past.
Zverev must pin Alcaraz in backhand exchanges
The backhand is Zverev’s biggest weapon, and he must use it to great effect if he stands a chance of defeating Alcaraz.
The German star has perhaps the best backhand on the Tour, and must utilise this weapon to pin Alcaraz into the backhand corner, preventing the Spaniard from using his deadly forehand.
Alcaraz has the best forehand on Tour, and Zverev’s forehand is a weakness. Therefore, the German must avoid forehand exchanges with Alcaraz at all costs.
Zverev must make a high percentage of first serves
The German’s serve is a massive weapon, as demonstrated by the 24 aces he served against Learner Tien in the quarter-finals.
Utilising his serve is a must against Alcaraz. The German needs to win cheap points against the Spaniard, or else he will struggle to combat Alcaraz’s superior baseline play throughout the majority of the contest.
Ideally, Zverev should be looking to make over 70 per cent of his first serves in order to put Alcaraz on the back foot frequently.
Alexander Zverev is the greatest player to never win a Grand Slam title – who else is in the conversation?
The German has served over 70 per cent in all but one of his matches at the 2026 Australian Open, and he will hope to do so again on Friday.
Zverev needs to utilise the serve-and-volley
The serve-and-volley is rarely used by players in the modern era, despite many players utilising the tactic heavily prior to 2000.
Zverev should take inspiration from his predecessors and utilise the serve-and-volley against Alcaraz.
At times it is almost redundant for a player to try and out-rally Carlos Alcaraz; he is simply too good from the back of the court.
Zverev needs to land the first strike on his serve, and take the initiative in points before Alcaraz can get a foothold.
