Yahoo Sports Novak Djokovic v Carlos Alcaraz LIVE: Australian Open score and latest updates from blockbuster quarter-final
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz renew their epic rivalry in the Australian Open quarter-finals, with grand slam history on the line in Melbourne.
Djokovic and Alcaraz are used to contesting major finals, such as the Olympics gold medal match and past two Wimbledon showpieces, but a quarter-final clash is their earliest ever meeting. Djokovic, the seventh seed, defeated Alcaraz in a thrilling Olympics final last year but the young Spaniard has won both of their previous matches at the grand slams, the latest a dominant victory in last summer’s Wimbledon final.
At 37, Djokovic is bidding to win a 25th grand slam and 100th career title this month, and the Serbian was caught up in a storm when boycotting a post-match interview and demanding an apology from host broadcaster Channel 9 over “insulting and offensive” comments towards him from presenter Tony Jones. Djokovic has received his apology, but the controversy may add an extra edge to the contest.
Alcaraz, at 21, is bidding to become the youngest man to complete the career grand slam, as the entertaining third seed bids to win the Australian Open for the first time. The winner will play second seed Alexander Zverev, who survived a test against American Tommy Paul to return to the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka also prevailed in a tough battle against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and the defending champion will face Paula Badosa in the semi-finals. Badosa ended Coco Gauff’s winning run to reach her first grand slam semi-final.
Follow live updates from Djokovic v Alcaraz in our live blog below.
Djokovic v Alcaraz: Australian Open latest score updates
Novak Djokovic faces Carlos Alcaraz in blockbuster Australian Open quarter-final
Djokovic defeated Alcaraz in Olympics final but Spaniard has won last two grand slam matches
Djokovic bids for 25th grand slam title but caught up in storm by boycotting interview
Winner will play Alexander Zverev after four-set win over Tommy Paul
Aryna Sabalenka battles past Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Coco Gauff knocked out by Spain's Paula Badosa 7-5 6-4
Australian Open: BREAK! *Carlos Alcaraz 1-2 Novak Djokovic
10:33 , Jamie Braidwood
Now the errors come from Djokovic! The 10-time Australian Open champion misses on a routine forehand from the baseline, pushing it wide.
Alcaraz will have an immediate chance to break back. It leads to the first gruelling rally of the match, there are a couple of clips of the net-cord, but Alcaraz picks his moment and leans into the backhand winner down the line!
Alcaraz breaks, and then breaks into a wide smile on the change of ends. Djokovic made a couple of key errors on 15-15 and 30-30.
Australian Open: BREAK! Carlos Alcaraz 0-2 Novak Djokovic*
10:27 , Jamie Braidwood
Despite that incredible pick-up volley from Alcaraz, the errors continue from the Spaniard and Djokovic makes the perfect start!
From 30-30, Alcaraz makes consecutive misses from the baseline, on both backhand and forehand wings. Djokovic breaks.
Five unforced errors in the first couple of games from Alcaraz and Djokovic now has the chance to build a commanding lead.
Australian Open: *Carlos Alcaraz 0-1 Novak Djokovic
10:25 , Jamie Braidwood
A nervy start from Alcaraz, cracking a forehand into the net and then pushing another forehand long from his backhand corner.
0-30 to Djokovic. Amazing! Djokovic found a stunning return and backhand pass crosscourt, to surely win the point.
But Alcaraz gets down to the pick-up volley, with the backspin taking it away from Djokovic! His opponent applauds.
Australian Open: *Carlos Alcaraz 0-1 Novak Djokovic
10:23 , Jamie Braidwood
Strong serving from Djokovic in the opening game, with three of four first serves made to get to 40-15.
The wind and breezy conditions were certainly a factor in the previous match involving Sabalenka.
And Djokovic is pushed into the forehand error out wide, as Alcaraz gets get to 40-30.
Djokovic finds the first serve out wide and Alcaraz lands the return out on the backhand.
Australian Open: Carlos Alcaraz 0-0 Novak Djokovic*
10:18 , Jamie Braidwood
Here we go! Rod Laver Arena crackles with excitement as Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz step out onto court, in the latest chapter of their epic, generational rivalry.
Djokovic is the 10-time champion here, but his winning run in Melbourne was put to an end by Jannik Sinner in last season’s semi-finals.
Alcaraz has beaten Djokovic in their last two grand slam matches but the 37-year-old won the biggest match of last year in the Olympics final.
But this is their first meeting at a hard court grand slam, with Djokovic winning both matches they’ve played at the ATP Finals and Cincinatti.
So.... who wins? The Australian Open ‘win predictor’ gives it to Djokovic, by 56%. He will serve first to start this quarter-final.
*denotes next server
What has Carlos Alcaraz said about Novak Djokovic?
10:11 , Jamie Braidwood
“If I think about everything he has done in tennis, I couldn't play. I mean, 24 grand slam titles, the most weeks at No. 1, everything. He almost broke every record in tennis. I'm trying not to think about that when I'm in the match.
“I'm just trying to beat him. I know my weapons. I know that I'm able to play a good tennis against him, I'm able to beat him. That's all I'm thinking when I'm facing him.
“I think what every player or the best players think when they face Novak, just playing and believing in their-selves.”
Coach Andy Murray faces biggest test against Carlos Alcaraz
10:10 , Jamie Braidwood
When Novak Djokovic announced that he would be appointing Andy Murray as his coach for the Australian Open, it was for matches like today’s quarter-final against Carlos Alcaraz in mind.
Djokovic was beaten in both matches against Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the grand slams last year, and the 37-year-old was looking for something new to help defeat his young rivals over best of five sets.
He identified Murray as the solution. The former World No 1 knew Djokovic’s game from back to front, and had experience of facing Alcaraz and Sinner in ihs final months on the tour.
“He knows the evolution of my game, the weaknesses and strengths of my game,” Djokovic said. “He also knows the game, the tennis game, of the biggest players in the world right now because he has just recently retired as a player.”
Against Alcaraz, we will see what impact coach Murray may have.
What has Novak Djokovic said about Carlos Alcaraz?
10:09 , Jamie Braidwood
“I'm expecting a big battle, as it's the case in most of our matches where we faced each. other. Maybe just couple times it was quite one-sided Wimbledon finals last year, he was the dominant force on the court. I had a really good match against him in the World Tour Finals in 2023.
“Other than that, we had some long battles, long exchanges kind of matches that I played against him. Remind me of my matchups versus Nadal in terms of the intensity and the energy on the court.
“He's very dynamic, explosive player. Incredibly talented. Charismatic player. Great to watch; not that great to play against.”
Novak Djokovic receives apology from Australian TV presenter over ‘offensive’ comments
10:06 , Jamie Braidwood
An Australian TV presenter has publicly apologised to Novak Djokovic and Serbian tennis fans after the 10-time Australian Open champion boycotted his post-match interview on Sunday.
Djokovic revealed afterwards that his decision not to answer on-court questions in the customary manner following his fourth-round victory over Jiri Lehecka was in protest at comments made on host broadcaster Channel 9 by Tony Jones.
Jones mocked a group of chanting Djokovic fans behind him ahead of the Serbian’s third-round match by singing: “Novak is overrated, Novak’s a has-been, Novak kick him out.”
Djokovic is satisfied with the apology issued by Jones.
“Novak acknowledges the apology has been given in public as requested," read a statement issued Monday by Tennis Australia, "and is now moving on and focusing on his next match.”
Australian TV host apologises to Novak Djokovic over ‘offensive’ comments
Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz head to head
10:05 , Jamie Braidwood
This will be the eighth match between Djokovic and Alcaraz and their fourth over best of five sets. Djokovic currently leads the head to head with four wins to three, and won their last meeting in an epic victory at the Olympics final.
While Alcaraz’s previous two wins over Djokovic have come in the Wimbledon final, in 2023 and 2024, this will be their first grand slam match played on a hard court, following a French Open semi-final in 2023.
Djokovic v Alcaraz Head-to-head
2024: Olympics final (clay) - Djokovic won 7-6 7-6
2024: Wimbledon final (grass) - Alcaraz won 6-2 6-2 7-6
2023: ATP Finals semi-final (indoor hard) - Djokovic won 6-3 6-2
2023: Cincinnati final (outdoor hard) - Djokovic won 5-7 7-6 7-6
2023: Wimbledon final (grass) - Alcaraz won 1-6 7-6 6-1 2-6 6-4
2023: French Open semi-final (clay) - Djokovic won 6-2 5-7 6-1 6-1
2022: Madrid semi-final (clay) Alcaraz won 6-7 7-5 7-6
Australian Open: GAME, SET AND MATCH!
10:00 , Jamie Braidwood
Aryna Sabalenka 2-6 6-2 6-3 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Pavlyuchenkova threatened the big upset, but Sabalenka slams the door in the third set! The defending champion survives a scare to win for the 19th match in a row at the Australian Open, and moves on to the semi-finals.
She will play her good friend, Spain’s Paula Badosa, in the final four. That was a tough test, and Sabalenka dropped her first set since the 2023 final. But she is so hard to beat and that was an impressive recovery. The three-peat is still on.
Sabalenka is relieved. “Guys, I was praying,” she tells Jelena Dokic on court. “It was very difficult. She plays amazing tennis, super aggressive, I’m super happy to somehow, magically, win this match. Now you guys can enjoy the battle between Djokovic and Alcaraz.”
Australian Open: *Aryna Sabalenka 2-6 6-2 5-3 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
09:57 , Jamie Braidwood
The pressure weighs on Pavlyuchenkova and Sabalenka breaks to have the chance to serve for the match! Pavlyuchenkova’s level has come down a touch, and she faced big pressure points on her serve after the hot-streak on the winners cooled down. Sabalenka takes advantage with champion’s timing.
Now can she serve it out?
Australian Open: Aryna Sabalenka 2-6 6-2 4-3 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova*
09:49 , Jamie Braidwood
Sabalenka rattles off eight points in a row on serve to steady the ship, putting some pressure on Pavlyuchenkova as we enter the business end of this quarter-final.
Has the momentum turned again?
BREAKS! Aryna Sabalenka 2-6 6-2 2-2 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
09:40 , Jamie Braidwood
Strange! Pavlyuchenkova cracked a hole in the Sabalenka aura with another break, before playing her worst service game of the match and being broken to love. A major dip from the 27th seed.
BREAKS! Aryna Sabalenka 2-6 6-2 1-1 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
09:34 , Jamie Braidwood
A trade of breaks at the start of the second set, with both players showing their frustration after losing serve early in the decider.
It was key for Sabalenka to break back, though, after Pavlyuchenkova looked to try and maintain her momentum into the third.
The World No 1 battled through a testing deuce game, finding the backhand winner down the line and then forcing Pavlyuchenkova into the miss at the net.
Djokovic and Alcaraz watch on in the gym behind the scenes.
SET! Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova levels against Aryna Sabalenka 2-6 6-2
09:18 , Jamie Braidwood
Wow! Who saw this coming? Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova strikes back against World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka with a set of the highest quality. The 27th seed strikes 10 winners to just four unforced errors, blitzing Sabalenka’s game from the back of the court with clean, aggressive hitting.
Sabalenka didn’t do too much wrong. But she now faces a deciding set for a place in the semi-finals. It’s the first set she has lost since the 2023 final against Elena Rybakina. She had won 24 in a row.
Novak Djokovic: 'I believe I can win against any opponent'
09:08 , Jamie Braidwood
Novak Djokovic on his improving form ahead of facing Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals:
“I think the last two matches have been really high level. I played two Czech players that are in a really good form.
“[Jiri] Lehecka won a tournament in the first week of the season. He's been feeling the ball great. It was a great matchup for me prior to Alcaraz. Of course, I wasn't thinking about Alcaraz before winning this match, which again I didn't see myself as a clear favourite.
“I'm really glad to be able to beat both [Tomas] Machac and Lehecka in straight sets. That encourages me to believe I can win against any opponent really on a good day when I'm feeling my best. That's what I'm trying to focus on, my game, recovery, making sure that I'm ready for whatever awaits me on the court.”
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova hits back against Aryna Sabalenka
09:03 , Jamie Braidwood
Quite the turnaround on Rod Laver Arena as Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova claims the double-break in double-quick time to lead Aryna Sabalenka 4-1 in the second set.
The Russian is hitting big and is landing her explosive strikes to rush Sabalenka around the court. It looks like we’re heading for a third.
Novak Djokovic's path to Australian Open quarter-finals
08:59 , Jamie Braidwood
Novak Djokovic has been much sharper in rounds three and four after dropping sets in both of his opening victories against inexperienced opponents in Melbourne.
After admitting he was outplayed at times by American wildcard Nishesh Basavareddy and Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria, Djokovic knew he had to wake up.
And he returned to form to dismiss the challenge of Czech threats Tomas Machac and Jiri Lehecka, and in convincing fashion, too:
R1: vs Basavareddy (WC) 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-2
R2: vs Faria (Q) 6-1 6-7 6-3 6-2
R3: vs Machac (26) 6-1 6-4 6-4
R4: vs Lehecka (24) 6-3 6-4 7-6
QF: vs Alcaraz (3)
Time on court: 11 hours
Carlos Alcaraz's path to Australian Open quarter-final
08:51 , Jamie Braidwood
The Spaniard’s route to the quarter-finals has been as smooth as could be. Alcaraz has dropped just one set, to Nuno Borges, and advanced against Jack Draper when the British No 1 retired at the end of the second set.
You could make an argument that Alcaraz has not been required to find his highest level so far, with the 21-year-old also deciding to miss the warm-up events and arrive straight at the Australian Open. He’s played more than three hours less than Djokovic.
R1: vs Alexander Shevchenko 6-1 7-5 6-1
R2: vs Yoshihito Nishioka 6-0 6-1 6-4
R3: vs Nuno Borges 6-2 6-4 6-7 6-2
R4: vs Jack Draper (15) 7-5 6-1 ret.
Time on court: 7 hours 45 minutes
FIRST SET! Aryna Sabalenka leads Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2
08:38 , Jamie Braidwood
Sabalenka breaks Pavlyuchenkova to win the first set 6-2 and looks to be closing in on a 19th consecutive victory at the Australian Open.
It’s going to take something special to stop the World No 1. It doesn’t look like that will be Pavlyuchenkova. But could it be Paula Badosa?
Australian Open: Aryna Sabalenka leads Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 5-2*
08:32 , Jamie Braidwood
Aryna Sabalenka has raced into a commanding first-set lead against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the second women’s quarter-final.
The World No 1 is a break up and Pavlyuchenkova makes two double faults in a row as she tries to hold to stay in the set.
The winner of this will face Paula Badosa in the semi-finals.
Alexander Zverev through to Australian Open semi-finals
08:15 , Jamie Braidwood
Alexander Zverev is through to the Australian Open finals for the second year in a row after riding his luck to beat American Tommy Paul.
Paul served for the first and second sets but Zverev broke back and then played excellent tiebreaks, eventually winning 7-6 (1) 7-6 (0) 2-6 6-1.
“I should have been down two sets to love,” Zverev said. “He played better than me, I was not playing great and I thought he was.
“I won the first set somehow, won the second set somehow. The fourth set was definitely the best I’ve played and I’m obviously extremely happy to be back in the semi-finals.”
Zverev will play the winner of the other quarter-final between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic.
Paula Badosa halts Coco Gauff's winning run in Australian Open quarter-finals
08:10 , Eleanor Crooks
Paula Badosa ended Coco Gauff’s winning run to reach her first grand slam semi-final at the Australian Open.
The American third seed arrived in Melbourne as the most in-form player on tour after winning the WTA Finals to end last season and then all five singles matches at the United Cup, including a clash against Iga Swiatek.
She went into the clash with 11th seed Badosa on a 13-match winning streak but it was the Spaniard who came out on top in a 7-5 6-4 victory.
Paula Badosa bests Coco Gauff in Australian Open quarterfinals
Australian Open order of play - Tuesday 21 January
07:29 , Jamie Braidwood
Rod Laver Arena - (all times UK/GMT)
Paula Badosa bt Coco Gauff 7-5 6-4
Alexander Zverev bt. Tommy Paul 7-6 7-6 2-6 6-1
From 8am: Aryna Sabalenka vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Followed by: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz
When is Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz?
07:01 , Jamie Braidwood
The match has been scheduled last on Rod Laver Arena, and will follow the women’s quarter-final between Aryna Sabalenka and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
The night session on Rod Laver Arena begins at 8am GMT, so Djokovic and Alcaraz could expect to take the court at around 9:30am. However, it could be slightly earlier or later depending on the previous match involving Sabalenka.
Good morning
06:59 , Jamie Braidwood
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz renew their epic rivalry in a blockbuster Australian Open quarter-final clash in Melbourne.
Djokovic, 37, and Alcaraz, 21, meet for an eighth time, in their first match since the Serbian’s historic victory in the Olympic final at Roland Garros last summer.
Djokovic is bidding to become the oldest grand slam champion of all time as he targets a 25th title in Melbourne.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, can become the youngest man to complete the career grand slam if he goes all the way.
The Spaniard has triumphed in their last two matches at the grand slam level, which both came in Wimbledon finals.
Follow for all the build-up ahead of a blockbuster Australian Open quarter-final
