Carlos Alcaraz breaks Zverev’s heart after surviving cramp to win five-set epic
Murmurs around Melbourne Park had been building.That the men’s Australian Open draw had not met expectations in 2026.That matches had been one-sided, and lacking memorable moments.That so-called SinCaraz was a foregone conclusion.That tennis had lost its touch.
Murmur no more.In this year’s first match on Rod Laver Arena to go five sets, Carlos Alcaraz leapt off the canvas to outlast Alexander Zverev 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-7 (4), 7-5 over five hours and 27 minutes – the third longest match in Australian Open history.It was so long it pushed the second men’s semi-final back more than an hour and left thousands watching on big screens around Melbourne Park.It was filled with more twists and turns than the Great Ocean Road.It was a duel that tossed expectation out the window, and then opened the door and walked out as well.
Walk? Carlos Alcaraz wished he could, when he was within a game of the match all the way back in the third set.The Spaniard appeared to be sailing towards victory, but cramping in his legs left him unable to run, swing or serve at full pace, and allowed Zverev a way back.Alcaraz took on fluids and received massages, including in a controversial medical timeout opposed by Zverev, and rediscovered his form.But the German remained focused, and quashed Alcaraz’s revival by staring him down in the fourth set tie-break and then breaking early in the fifth.All he needed to do was rely on his potent serve and serve it out.
Spoiler alert: this was not that kind of match.A now refreshed Alcaraz threw everything at the fading German.At 3-2, Zverev saved a break point, but across the net the Spaniard looked the fresher.There was desperation in his voice when Zverev shouted “water” on a change of ends, as Alcaraz – despite trailing – pumped up the crowd with a grin and a fist.At 4-3, Zverev trailed 0-30 again, soon facing one break point, and another.
On his haunches between play, somehow he climbed out of the hole, time and again.He landed a clean forehand winner in the corner to put him one game away, but did not have enough energy left to celebrate.The crowd were on their feet as the match reached its decisive game.The time was 8pm, the heat that had once sapped the world No 1 was long since passed.Zverev was serving at 5-4, needing just one more hold.
But in an instant, Alcaraz had his arms aloft, level at 5-5 and then ahead at 6-5.Alcaraz would not be stopped, saying afterwards he just kept the faith.“I always say you have to believe in yourself, no matter what you’re struggling [with], what you’ve been through, you’ve got to still believe in yourself all the time.”In the end Alcaraz’s victory felt inevitable, even if the final break – on match point – was a point of quality befitting such an epic.Alcaraz lunged to reach a forehand and whipped it back past Zverev at the net.
When Alcaraz went up two sets to love he stood solid and saluted his team, and appeared to be waltzing towards the final.But within minutes he was unable to walk, bringing about the tournament’s magnificent twist.He admitted he was struggling in that third set.“Physically, it was one of the most demanding matches I have ever played in my career,” he said.“I had to put my heart into the match.
”The world No 1 – who is now 15-1 in five-set matches – is now within one victory of a career grand slam,If he wins on Sunday, he will be the youngest man to secure one: the Alcaraz fairytale, to which Friday added a barely believable chapter,
UK unlikely to join a US attack on Iran – but may help Gulf states if Tehran retaliates
Britain is unlikely to assist the US in an attack on Iran but a deployment of RAF Typhoons to Qatar last week signals a willingness to help regional allies if Tehran tries to widen the conflict in retaliation.A first strike on Iran is unlikely be in line with the UK’s interpretation of international law, but British forces could become involved if there is a need to help Qatar or other regional allies in self-defence.Last week, the RAF’s 12 Squadron, a joint Typhoon unit with the Qatari air force, moved from Lincolnshire to the Gulf state, while the US built up a substantial military presence for a possible attack against the Iranian regime.British sources said the squadron’s forward deployment was “at the request of the Qataris” – to help protect the country, home to the largest US airbase in the region, from any drone and missile counterattack.Earlier this month, Iran warned that US bases in the region, often also home to small numbers of British personnel, would be targeted in retaliation if Donald Trump bombed the country in support of Iranians protesting against the regime
What agreements have been made during Starmer’s trip to China?
Keir Starmer will be pleased that he has secured several agreements to mark his visit to Beijing and by the warm tone of President Xi Jinping’s remarks about his government. However, No 10’s announcements do not put a figure on the value of the deals, and there does not appear to be a big bundle of investments worth billions by Chinese or British firms, which prime ministers have usually tended to hold up as a sign of success. These are the agreements secured by the UK so far.This is probably the biggest coup from the trip. Visa-free travel for Britons to visit China for under 30 days will allow holidays and business trips to take place without the usual bureaucracy
Xi didn’t really see a point to Kier’s visit – but hey, let a hundred flowers bloom | John Crace
Let’s face it, this was never going to be a meeting of equals. Keir Starmer had been desperate to squeeze in a trip to China for some time. Another country to tick off his list and he always feels a lot better about himself when he’s abroad. Less noise from his unhappy MPs. Plus he loved the pomp and ceremony that came with it
Starmer announces visa-free travel to China after talks with Xi in Beijing – UK politics live
Keir Starmer has secured a deal on visa-free travel to China for UK citizens during his visit to Beijing, PA Media reports. PA says:Those visiting the country for less than 30 days will no longer need a visa under the agreement, Downing Street has announced.It will apply to those travelling to China for business and as tourists and brings the rules for UK visitors in line with those from 50 other countries including France and Germany.The change will not come into effect immediately, but Beijing is understood to have committed to unilateral visa-free entry for UK citizens with a start date to be confirmed.British passport-holders currently need a visa to enter mainland China
Shamima Begum is a blot on Sajid Javid’s copybook | Brief letters
Reading your interview with Sajid Javid, with its account of juvenile theft from slot machines, the beatings he received from his father (which Javid himself now recognises as abuse) and the official leniency that he says changed his life, it’s hard to believe that this is the man who, on spurious national security grounds, took away Shamima Begum’s British citizenship for choices she made, or pressures she was put under, as a child.Mark de BrunnerBurn Bridge, North Yorkshire Re Adrian Chiles’s item (Is the wayward apostrophe in WALE’S LARGEST VAPE SHOP a sign of the times?, 29 January), while on holiday in Northumberland last year I visited a delightful cafe that sold various local crafts including handmade “Christma’s card’s”.Jane MarshLondon My mother regarded duvets (Letters, 28 January) as a “continental affectation”. For her, bed-making was all about the neatness of the hospital corners.Sue WallaceThame, Oxfordshire Why not have the World Cup in the US (A World Cup boycott over Trump? Football’s hypotheticals cannot be dismissed any more, 22 January)? They had the 1936 Olympics in Berlin and Fifa has already given a prize to our dictator!Kay KellerSchenectady, New York, US Sincere thanks for making my day last Friday
Nigel Farage meets UAE ministers and drums up donations on Dubai trip
Nigel Farage has paid a visit to Dubai to build diplomatic relations with United Arab Emirates ministers and drum up donations for Reform UK from wealthy expats.The two-night trip was his second visit to the Gulf state in two months, after a £10,000 trip hosted by Abu Dhabi to attend the Formula One grand prix.Farage’s ability to secure an audience with foreign government ministers is a new development, as his diplomatic ties have previously been largely with Donald Trump’s US administration.Speaking at a GB News event, Farage said he had had a “very good interview” with an unnamed UAE minister on Wednesday.One of those present at the event was the UAE industry minister, Sultan Al Jaber, who is also the chief executive of the state oil company Adnoc and a former chair of the UAE’s national media council
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