Second seed Carlos Alcaraz crashed out of the quarterfinals at the Australian Open on Wednesday after his desperate comeback attempt was thwarted by ruthless German Alexander Zverev.

Alexander Zverev competes during the men's singles quarterfinal between Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Alexander Zverev of Germany at Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Sixth seed Zverev let Alcaraz back in the match after failing to close out victory in the third set before ultimately prevailing 6-1, 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-4 in three hours and six minutes.

It was the first time Zverev has beaten a top-five player at a Grand Slam as he seeks a maiden Major title. He will next face third seed Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals.

"When you're so close to winning your brain starts going and it's not always helpful, but I'm happy I got there in the end. I fought back well in the fourth set," Zverev said.

Zverev had produced an almost flawless performance to move within a game of victory at 5-2 in the third set. But he had to fend off a rally from a rejuvenated Alcaraz, who lifted several levels and he forced a fourth set after taking the tiebreak.

Two-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz tried to break the resolve of Zverev, who famously lost the final of the U.S. Open in 2020 to Dominic Thiem after squandering a two sets advantage.

But Zverev was not to be denied as he finally sealed a final-four spot in a match that finished at 1.20 a.m. local time on Thursday.

The Australian Open remains the only Grand Slam where Alcaraz has yet to reach the semifinals.

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