Ageless Novak Djokovic won an epic generational clash against Carlos Alcaraz last night to stay on track for an 11th Australian Open tennis title with Alexander Zverev next in the semi-finals. The 37-year-old Serb, who is chasing a record 25th Grand Slam crown, outlasted the Spaniard, 16 years his junior, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 despite having his left thigh heavily strapped. The vintage three-hour, 37-minute performance put Djokovic into the last four at Melbourne Park for a 12th time. The win extended his all-time record for most Grand Slam semi-final appearances to 50. But for awhile victory did not seem at all possible, as the Serb called the trainer and left the court for a medical time-out in the first set. On his return, Alcaraz sealed the set to love. Germany's Zverev battled into the semi-finals for a second straight year with a 7-6 (7/1), 7-6 (7/0), 2-6, 6-1 victory over American Tommy Paul, edging closer to his maiden Grand Slam title. In women's singles, Aryna Sabalenka battled through "unbelievable" windy conditions to keep her dream of a hat-trick alive. The top seed faces Spain's Paula Badosa for a place in the final after grinding past Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 on Rod Laver Arena. "The conditions were unbelievable. The wind was so strong. It was very difficult for both of us," said Sabalenka. The Belarusian can become the first woman since Martina Hingis in 1999 to win the year's first major three years in a row. Only four others - Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles - have achieved the feat. The 11th-seeded Badosa stunned third-ranked Coco Gauff 7-5, 6-4 to reach her maiden Grand Slam semi-final at the age of 27. Badosa almost quit tennis a year ago because of a chronic back condition. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
His thigh heavily strapped, Novak Djokovic runs down the ball on his way to victory over Carlos Alcaraz. He faces Alexander Zverev, left, in the semi-finals. AP, REUTERS
