NO GREAT ESCAPE FOR ALCARAZ

Carlos bid for dream Djokovic. is stunned by smart Alex

- YASMIN SYED AND NEI McLEMAN

WIMBLEDON champion Carlos Alcaraz was left stunned as Alexander Zverev sent him crashing out of the Australian Open just as he threatened a midnight comeback.

German Zverev triumphed 6-1 6-3 6-7 6-4 to book a semi-final date tomorrow with Daniil Medvedev.

Such has been the dominance of Spaniard Alcaraz that losing this quarter-final clash was the world No.2's earliest Grand Slam exit in 18 months.

Zverev looked unstoppable in the first two sets and, just after midnight, he was serving for a straight sets win when Alcaraz broke for the first time.

He got back to 5-5 and won the last seven points of the tiebreak to make it 2-1, flashing a big smile after earning four set points when he chased a ball wide and hit a forehand passing shot.