And also taking a MTO which IMO was the turning point in the match.
Unfortunately, this means that Alcaraz’s hopes of becoming the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam will have to wait another twelve months. He still has two chances to do so before turning 24 in May 2027.
Djokovic played really well last night. I remember when Alcaraz beat him in those Wimbledon finals, there was a lot of talk that Alcaraz was going to be some unstoppable force in Tennis and that it was the beginning of the end for Djokovic. So it’s pretty amazing that Djokovic can still beat someone as good as Alcaraz who is 16 years younger than him.
Now for some final predictions. Djokovic did beat Zverev the last time they met (August last year). Given how well he played against Alcaraz, I think he’d have to be a slight favourite to make the final.
On the other side of the draw, probably the winner of Sinner vs De Minaur will get there too given the other competitors are much lower ranked. Sinner will probably pull through but De Minaur is playing very well. Fingers crossed he can cause an upset and get across the line.
If there’s ever a time for Alex de Minaur to crack his hoodoo against Jannik Sinner, it’s tonight.
He’s only ever won one or two sets against him in nine previous meetings and not since 2020.
Similarly, de Minaur had a poor record against Stefanos Tsitsipas but was able to beat him recently. So why not against Sinner?
One of the things that drove me mad listening to Jim Courier last night was him falling for Djokovic’s “injury” and him going on and on about Djokovic being supposedly hampered and how amazing he is for overcoming it and beating Alcaraz.
At least McEnroe saw through it.
Italian world No. 1 Jannik Sinner has cancelled his afternoon practice session, fuelling speculation that he is under the weather ahead of tonight’s quarter-final against Australian star Alex de Minaur.
Tournament director Craig Tiley on Wednesday morning moved to dismiss reports that Sinner, 23, was suffering from pneumonia after enduring a medical episode during his round four clash in Monday’s afternoon heat.
Tiley maintained on Wednesday morning that Sinner was fine and that the blockbuster Wednesday quarter-final meeting was well and truly still on.
And he’ll probably never get a better run into the finals either
Had a great day at RLA today, I stayed until the end of the Ben Shelton vs Lorenzo Sonego match.Glad I did as this one went to 4 sets and both guys played excellent tennis.Towards the end of the match there was a lot of support for Sonego.Of course
Iga won easily but Emma Navarro played better in their second set .The 1st women’s match (Svitlina vs Madison Keys, the eventual winner)went to 3 sets so all up a great day of tennis.As I was leaving ,people for tonight’s session were arriving will be a full house definitely.
Looks like the Demon is in trouble,
now watching the match in my room
Agree, i can’t see him coming back from 2 sets down.
Has overcooked some critical shots tonight.
Not in the same league
Seeded 8 long way behind the Number 1
Agree, very much in the Lleyton Hewitt mould. Relies on speed quite a bit.
But these days it’s a taller man’s game with the the extra power and reach they have. And they are still quick enough across the court.
Sadly, that’s the end for De Minaur. Sinner was too good for him.
Should be happy nonetheless with a home Quarter Final at the Aussie Open.
Though being 8th seed, he would have wanted to go further I’m sure.
That in my eyes, is only a “par” result (ie. making final 8 as the 8th seed).
Next year’s Australian Open will mark a half-century since an Australian man last won the title (Mark Edmondson in 1976; he was ranked 212th IIRC).
The gulf in class between Sinner and de Minaur was brutally exposed this evening. Goes to show how much work the latter has to do if he’s to contend for the big ones in future months/years. Nonetheless, de Minaur has had a successful summer, something he can build on as the year progresses.
Coming up next - Hewitt/Philippoussis vs Baghdatis/Blake in an exhibition doubles match - we all remember that classic late-night (or early morning) tussle between Hewitt and Baghdatis in 2008!
Glad that they are showing the Exhibition Match next. They are usually a bit of fun.
Actually, that makes perfect sense. I didn’t think of that before. Yes, Alex has moved up in the rankings recently. But 8th for the 8th see is on par. He, and most of us watching, would have loved to see him go even further.
Done and dusted in under 2hrs.OMG
I really can’t seeing anyone beating Sinnner!
I don’t think de Minaur was going to beat Sinner tonight, in fact I think the Italian was playing mind games with the media all day as speculation grew whether he was going to play or not.
The fact is, de Minaur got outclassed, but did get as far as was expected of him. That’s all you can ask.
Gallant effort, Demon 
A miracle was always going to be required tonight, despite the media hype (hope!)
You made your first QF at Melbourne Park and that’s four quarters in a row at the majors, also the first Aussie at the Oz Open in a decade. One better next year? Make the final in 2027? And win the thing in 2028?
Nice to hear he moves up to No. 7 in the world.
I can’t see anybody beating Jannik Sinner, he is on another planet, this slam could be defining. De Minaur has played brilliant… Sinner is just something else. Maybe only the jOkEr in his beloved AO final, he seems to become super human on those nights. We’ll see.
I enjoyed my day at Melbourne Park (RLA)yesterday,I’ll be back next year for sure 
Wonder which match will be scheduled in prime time tomorrow night, Djokovic or Sinner? Surely not both, given the potential run times. I think Nine, other broadcasters and fans would be happy with either.