Carlos Alcaraz secured his maiden Australian Open semifinal berth on January 28, 2026, delivering a commanding 7-5, 6-2, 6-1 victory over Australia's Alex de Minaur. The 22-year-old Spaniard silenced Rod Laver Arena's home crowd while moving closer to achieving a Career Grand Slam — a feat no male player has accomplished at his age in the Open Era.
De Minaur, the last Australian hope aiming to break a 50-year title drought for local men, struggled against Alcaraz's retooled serve and relentless baseline precision. Despite early resistance, including three break points in the fifth game of the first set, the sixth seed could not match his opponent's tactical adjustments.
"I'm playing great tennis and really happy to get into the semifinals," Alcaraz said post-match, emphasizing his team's strategy to elevate his performance progressively. The win keeps him on track to join tennis legends by winning all four majors, having already claimed Wimbledon and the US Open.
Analysts note Alcaraz's shift from flashy shot-making to disciplined efficiency this season, a maturity that positions him as a favorite for the title. His next challenge will be against either Daniil Medvedev or Jannik Sinner, with the semifinal set for January 30.
