Carlos Alcaraz v Alexander Zverev live: Australian Open latest score updates from semi-finals before Novak Djokovic v Jannik Sinner

This guy is a joke. Alcaraz pulls the legs from Zverev as he puts a drop shot over the net, with the German stranded behind the baseline.

And he leads the fifth set! Alcaraz directs the roars as he holds serve. And now it is Zverev who is close to defeat. Ridiculous.

You can feel the tension in Zverev’s legs as he serves down two break points. Alcaraz guides the forehand down the line… ZVEREV GOES LONG!

Here we go. Just the start Alcaraz needed. Zverev is hesitant as he comes into the net and Alcaraz picks him off with the backhand pass.

Oooooh this is tense. Now Zverev puts his backhand into the net and for the second game in a row, Alcaraz gets 0-30 to look at.

Zverev retreats… Alcaraz has a shot at the forehand down the line… but he pulls it wide!

NOT THIS TIME! Alcaraz fires a forehand winner crosscourt, scorching past Zverev!

Two break points for the chance to stay alive!

Alcaraz is not done yet. He forces Zverev to serve for his place in the final. On 30-30, Zverev had a look at a volley over the net, but pushes long.

Alcaraz clenches his fist and raises his racket, trying to summon every ounce of spirit he has left.

Over to Zverev. This is now the longest Australian Open semi-final of all time.

Zverev lands his serve and guides the forehand into the corner to move to break point.

And the German comes through! A forehand winner blasted down the line.

No hesitation there. He moves one game away.

Here comes Alcaraz again! He gets up to the Zverev volley and whacks the forehand down the line, forcing the miss from Zverev.

Break point. Alcaraz is so close to the line wit the backhand cross, Zverev replies, but Alcaraz then nets on the backhand! Again, he doubles over in exhaustion.

And still Alcaraz moves forward! He attacks Zverev again. Left with a window, he flashes the forehand and Zverev can’t return.

Another break point: oh my goodness… Alcaraz pulls the forehand out! Zverev hangs on once more.

There is footage of the crowds outside the Rod Laver Arena halted in their tracks as they watch the action on the big screen.

And there’s still plenty of twists and turns to come yet as Zverev puts a forehand long on the opening point.

The pressure is building… Zverev goes long on the backhand this time and Alcaraz will have a 0-30 to target!

Alcaraz has a second-serve to look at, too, but Zverev stands up and blasts his forehand down the line.

Zverev produces the first serve, then guides the backhand winner. What an escape this would be.

But, as we pass the five-hour mark, the forehand then breaks down and a nervy error from Zverev sends up to deuce.

Alcaraz rolls through the hold to 15.

Zverev, quite wisely, is saving for efforts for the next two service games that stand between him and pulling off this comeback.

Alcaraz has his hand to his ear, and you know what that means! He someone lunges to reach a Zverev volley, whipping the pick-up past the German.

30-30, Alcaraz senses his moment, and he blasts a forehand winner past Zverev crosscourt! Break point: Alcaraz is somehow able to smile as Zverev finds a big serve, Alcaraz’s forehand kicks up off the net-cord and lands out.

Deuce… what a point! Zverev comes out on top and lands a massive forehand past Alcaraz that leaves the 22-year-old buckled with his head over his knees.

Zverev, after a delay, finds a first serve and Alcaraz goes long on the return! That was a chance. Zverev survives another big test. Alcaraz was surging there.