Djokovic downs Alcaraz to reach Australian Open semi-finals

Novak Djokovic defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Australian Open on Tuesday night, booking his place in the final four in Melbourne.

The Serbian defied tennis betting odds across top sportsbooks to beat the No.3 seed 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in one of the matches of the tournament so far.

Bovada had Djokovic at +150 to win in pre-match betting, with Alcaraz favoured at -250.

But when the Spaniard won the opening set, his live betting odds shortened to -909.09 for victory at some tennis bookmakers.

The match undulated over the course of three hours and 37 minutes in front of a packed-out Rod Laver Arena.

It was Djokovic who gained the upper hand early, breaking Alcaraz in the second game.

However, momentum swung back towards the 21-year-old when Djokovic failed to consolidate the break and then appeared to tweak his leg in the aftermath of a long rally.

Following a medical timeout at 4-5, the 10-time champion conceded the opening set, and the writing looked on the wall just 40 minutes in.

Djokovic surged back into the match, however, again breaking Alcaraz early in the second set.

This time, he consolidated, moving ahead 3-0 and then levelling the match at a set apiece after the two traded breaks over the back half of the set.

Suddenly, it was the 37-year-old in control, with Alcaraz spraying unforced errors — 40 for the match, compared to Djokovic’s 27 — and losing the majority of his second-serve points.

Between bursts of brilliance from Alcaraz, Djokovic steadily played his way into a 50th Grand Slam semi-final, winning the remaining two sets 6-3, 6-4.

“It’s one of the most epic matches I have played on this court, on any court really,” Djokovic said afterwards.

“I want to say my utmost respect and admiration for Carlos, everything he stands for and what he has achieved so far in his career.

“What a terrific guy he is, and an even better competitor.

“Youngest ever No.1 in the world, four Grand Slams, and I’m sure we are going to see a lot of him.

“Maybe not as much as I would like, but he is going to be there for sure longer than me.

“I just wish this match today was the final, honestly.”

The result has had a significant impact on Australian Open odds for the men’s singles title.

Djokovic was on the third line of betting at +600, but he now shortens to +200 — the price Alcaraz was paying before his loss on Tuesday.

Jannik Sinner (-111.11) remains the favourite at Bovada, with his quarter-final against Alex de Minaur coming up on Wednesday evening in Melbourne.

The top seed is paying just -625 to beat de Minaur and reach the semi-finals for the second consecutive year.

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