Escape from Alcaraz

The top seeds fell early on in the Australian Open. But the toughest, or most fertile seed that grew 10 titles down under survived, even against the man he predicted would be one of the new trivalry.

Many expected Novak Djokovic to lose against Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. It was a match to watch. The Spaniard took the first set. And his numbers show he closes the match if he wins the opening set. Not yet. Its Djokovic at the other side of the net. The Serb fought back in the second set, played unpredictably disruptive that his Wimbledon conqueror lost focus. By then the match became more mental than physical. And Djokovic does not lack for wisdom.

Alcaraz now rues he let Djokovic back into the match. The Spanish somehow became gentler after he saw the Serb suffer from injury. But John McEnroe was not as sympathetic. He believed the pain was feigned. Regardless. A medical timeout is demandable as a matter of right, conscience aside. Although Djokovic is not best known to heed that inner voice that tells right from wrong.

The 24-time major winner is now into his 50th slam semifinal after beating the Spanish ace 16 years his junior. Alcaraz is seeded third. One down. Djokovic needs to beat second seed Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals. But the German is ready and hungry. He is one of a few best men to have never won a slam. But then it s Djokovic. He too is hungry to make history. Two dozens is not enough.

Should Novak hurdle the German stilt, he potentially faces Jannik Sinner in the final. The Italian world number one and top seed is another one of the three Djokovic named to comprise the new trivalry, the third is Holger Rune who lost early on.

But the 37-year old needs to rewrite another piece of history. No man in the Open Era beat the top three seeds on the way to a slam title. But then again, its Djokovic. Even if many people don t like it. Yes it, referring to the possibility of a 25th major title to surpass the all-time non-record of Margaret Court for the most singles slams, man or woman. Never mind him, whether people like him or not, he goes down in history as the greatest. Per statistics. Just like in elections, majority wins, regardless of wisdom. Heads are counted, not the brains, if any.