WATCH: Novak Djokovic applauds Carlos Alcaraz after Spaniard displays unreal athleticism in Australian Open hot shot

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz took very little time to bring the Rod Laver Arena alive after stepping out on court for their highly anticipated quarterfinal showdown. The two followed Aryna Sabalenka and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova onto the packed stadium.

Both men were striking the ball well at the beginning of the contest, pushing each other into the corners of the court. It was the 10-time former champion who found himself in with a chance to secure an early lead.

Up *0-30 in the first Alcaraz service game, Djokovic showed incredible athleticism to counter a serve-and-down-the-line combo from his opponent. The Serb’s crosscourt defensive shot had a sharp angle and was set to drop inches away from the net but Alcaraz, in a show of his own dynamism, was able to reach the before it dropped and hit an incredible volley.

The way the youngster was able to dig the ball out from a very difficult position left the crowd gasping. And it was his opponent who led the loud applause that followed.

Djokovic went on to win the game courtesy a couple of errors on the groundstrokes from his opponent, but he was pegged back in the very next game. Alcaraz hit a solid backhand winner to draw the match back on serve at *1-2 and it wasn’t until the ninth game that another break of serve was witnessed.

The Serb had a few game points in the ninth game but Alcaraz’s refusal to buckle under the pressure of piercing groundstrokes also made way for a few breakpoint opportunities and he took the third one to put himself a game away from the opening set.

The Spaniard followed that break up with a clean service game to take the opening set 6-4. He hit a total of 13 winners against Djokovic’s three and was clearly ahead in terms of the first serve points won 76% to 59%.

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Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz's paths up to Australian Open QF showdown

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz at the 2025 Australian Open. (Source: Getty)

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz have had different paths leading up to the Australian Open quarterfinal showdown, with the former having spent more time on the court so far.

The Serb was forced to play four-set encounters in the opening two rounds by Nishesh Basavareddy and Jaime Faria, but has grown in confidence. He has not dropped any sets in his last two encounters against Tomas Machac and Jiri Lehecka.

Alcaraz, meanwhile, has dropped only one set en-route to the quarterfinals, which was against Nuno Borges in the third round. His last encounter also came to an early end after Jack Draper was forced to retire due to physical issues.