2025 Australian Open Day 10: Djokovic v Alcaraz In Here; QFs Sabalenka, Gauff Win Away

The big showdown is set for tonight in Melbourne between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. The super showdown will see Djokovic try to break a 2-match losing streak to the Spaniard in Slams after losses in the Wimbledon final the last two years.

Djokovic, 16 years older than Alcaraz, beat Alcaraz at the Olympics, but that coming a few weeks after getting flooded in the Wimbledon final.

Alcaraz has never made the Australian Open final while Djokovic has won this title 10 times and leads Alcaraz 2-0 on hard courts, but in best-of-3.

Alcaraz has said he won’t adjust much.

“Not really. I change my game a little bit. It’s not going to be the same game style when I’m playing on grass or clay court obviously,” Alcaraz said.

“I think everybody has their weakness. It doesn’t matter if we we’re playing one surface or another, we are going to still having the same weakness. What weakness Novak has? Just few or none. I know what I have to do on clay, on hard court, on grass. This is going to be the first time that I am playing against him in a Grand Slam on hard court, so let’s see.”

While Alcaraz is chasing a Career Slam, Djokovic has a 25th Major in the line, and this could be his last best chance. Though the Serb might have to beat the Top 3 in a row to do it.

“I’m expecting a big battle, as it’s the case in most of our matches where we faced each other,” said Djokovic. “Maybe just couple times it was quite one-sided.

“Other than that, we had some long battles, long exchanges kind of matches that I played against him. Remind me of my matchups versus Nadal in terms of the intensity and the energy on the court.

“He’s very dynamic, explosive player. Incredibly talented. Charismatic player. Great to watch, not that great to play against.

“I look forward to it. I think when the draw was out, a lot of the people were looking forward to potential matchup in quarterfinals, Alcaraz versus me. So here we are. I think we both are hitting the ball pretty well this tournament. I like the way I’m playing and the way I’m feeling last couple matches. I’m excited about that challenge.”

In the early semifinal, Alexander Zverev will see his first win against Tommy Paul. Paul leads 2-0 with two wins years ago on hard courts. Zverev, seeded second, has lost just one set.

The women are one win from a Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka showdown. Both will be the big favorites today as they try to extend perfect records this year.

Gauff faces Paula Badosa for a 7th time with the two tied 3-3. Sabalenka will take on Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova for a fourth time down 2-1, but the two haven’t met in nearly four years.

TUESDAY AUSTRALIAN OPEN SCHEDULE
Rod Laver Arena – 11:30 AM
GAUFF, Coco (USA) [3] vs. BADOSA, Paula (ESP) [11]
Not before: 2:00 PM
PAUL, Tommy (USA) [12] vs. ZVEREV, Alexander (GER) [2]

7:00 PM
SABALENKA, Aryna [1] vs. PAVLYUCHENKOVA, Anastasia [27]
DJOKOVIC, Novak (SRB) [7] vs. ALCARAZ, Carlos (ESP) [3