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. 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 the first match this year 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.

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