Carlos Alcaraz's semi-final was the longest ever at the Australian Open
A cramping Carlos Alcaraz had to draw on every physical and mental reserve to come back from the brink and beat Alexander Zverev to reach a first Australian Open final.
Spain's Alcaraz came through 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (3-7) 6-7 (4-7) 7-5 after an enthralling five hours and 27 minutes - but the scoreline barely hints at the drama that occurred in Melbourne.
Alcaraz had clinched the first two sets and was cruising when, serving at 4-4 in the third, he suddenly pulled up and was left barely able to serve or move.
The world number one took a medical timeout - leaving third seed Zverev irate - and looked a shadow of his former self as his German opponent forced a decider.
