Alcaraz dishes out 'harsh treatment'

CARLOS Alcaraz produced one of the gutsiest wins of his career - and then denied bending the rules to seek medical treatment.

- BY ELEANOR CROOKS

Carlos Alcaraz (right) embraces Alexander Zverev and (right) the Spaniard's controversial medical timeout

The world number one battled through physical struggles and staged a fifth-set fightback to beat Alexander Zverev in an epic Australian Open semifinal lasting five hours and 27 minutes.

Alcaraz looked to be cruising on Rod Laver Arena at two sets to love up, only to suffer what appeared to be a bout of cramp late in the third set.

His hopes of becoming the youngest man ever to complete the career Grand Slam were in serious jeopardy when Zverev levelled the contest and led 5-3 in the decider, but Alcaraz showed what makes him such a special talent by pulling off a 6-4 7-6 (5) 6-7 (3) 6-7 (4) 7-5 victory.

The medical timeout he took at 5-4 in the third set became a huge talking point, with cramp considered a loss of condition rather than an injury and treatment only permitted within the time of the changes of ends.

Zverev was furious and was heard intimating to supervisor Andreas Egli that he believes Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner receive preferential treatment.