ALEX RACKS UP A ZVERY GOOD WIN

WIMBLEDON champion Carlos Alcaraz was left stunned as Alexander Zverev sent him crashing out of the Australian Open – just as he threatened a midnight comeback.

- YASMIN SYED and NEIL McLEMAN

German Zverev triumphed 6-1 6-3 6-7 6-4 to book a semi-final date tomorrow with Daniil Medvedev.

Such has been the dominance of Spaniard Alcaraz that losing this quarter-final clash is the World No.2’s earliest Grand Slam exit in 18 months.

Zverev looked unstoppable in the first two sets and was serving for a straight sets win just after midnight.

But then Alcaraz (inset) broke for the first time before getting back to 5-5 and winning the last seven points of the tiebreak.

After an exchange of service breaks to open the fourth and some rallies of incredible shots, Zverev had another chance to close out after breaking in the ninth game.

As he clinched victory at 1.19am, he let out a scream of relief. “I’m playing one of the best players in the world,” he said.