Zverev stuns Alcaraz to reach Australian Open semi-finals

Germany's Alexander Zverev stunned second seed Carlos Alcaraz to reach the Australian Open semi-finals with 6-1 6-3 6-7(2) 6-4 victory on Wednesday.

Zverev landed 94 of 111 first serves throughout the three hour, five minute contest and even when Alcaraz threatened a remarkable comeback he showed great composure to seal victory.

In his seventh Grand Slam semi-final, Zverev will need similar accuracy as he takes on Russia's Daniil Medvedev.

"When you're up 6-1 6-3 5-2 against a player like Carlos you start thinking because we are all human," Zverev said on court.

"Your brain starts going and it's not always helpful but I'm happy I got there in the end. I fought back pretty well in the fourth set and didn't let go."

Earlier in the day, third seed Medvedev, who lost back-to-back Melbourne Park finals in 2021 and 2022, took a step closer to returning to the title clash with a 7-6(4) 2-6 6-3 5-7 6-4 win over Pole Hurkacz.

In the women's competition, Zheng Qinwen shook off a sluggish start to outclass Russian Anna Kalinskaya 6-7(4) 6-3 6-1 and reach the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time.

The Chinese 12th seed will next take on Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska, who registered a swift 6-3 6-4 win over Czech Linda Noskova to become the first women's qualifier to make the last four since the 1978 tournament.