Big trouble for Alexander Zverev!

A tame shot drops into the net. Two break back points...

Over to Alexander Zverev, then.

The German has done the hard work in this set and finally found a way past Carlos Alcaraz's serve. Now will he make it count?

He's overpowered by Alcaraz in a baseline exchange on the opening point, and then frames a forehand out. Trouble brewing, perhaps.

A simple task, on paper, for Carlos Alcaraz here: Hold serve and see if Alexander Zverev gets tight trying to see out the set.

He makes a good start before faltering on a couple of backhands for 30-30, but the world number one gets the job done with a volley at the net.

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An important game now for Alexander Zverev to consolidate his advantage as he seeks to level up this match.

An ace provides the perfect start, but Carlos Alcaraz makes a return for 30-30.

That's a great point from the German, though, as he directs Alcaraz one way before guiding a volley in the opposite direction on his way to securing a 5-2 lead.

Carlos Alcaraz sees off the first break point, and shuts down the second with an overhead smash into the back of the court.

One more chance for Alexander Zverev to come as he looks to take this rare opportunity... Long from Alcaraz!

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This is a chance now for Alexander Zverev as he reaches 0-30 after Carlos Alcaraz misses a backhand.

And he's going to get his first three break points! Alcaraz nets under pressure for 0-40.

There are members of the crowd on their feet as Carlos Alcaraz dashes from side to side in refusing to let Alexander Zverev finish a point, probably about four shots earlier than he might have done against any other opponent.

Eventually, Zverev finds a way past the indomitable Spaniard before going on to hold to 15 with an ace. It's simmering nicely.

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Alexander Zverev appears to be unhappy with his racquet tension and is letting the chair umpire know all about it. Hopefully he's managed to get his order in with whoever can fix that...

Signs that Carlos Alcaraz is beginning to relax now as he wins an entertaining point with an instinctive forehand up the court, and he recovers from a double fault to hold with a wonderfully redirected forehand.

He smiles and shakes his head. Sometimes he even manages to surprise himself with his abilities.

A crowd-pleasing exchange is brought to an end as Alexander Zverev holds firm at the net to win his opening point, a second volley in quick succession eventually overcoming Carlos Alcaraz's relentless chasing.

The third seed's exchanges with his team continue, but he'll be relieved to make his way to a straightforward hold there.

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There are seemingly going to be no such issues for Carlo Alcaraz as he strides out to 40-15, but Alexander Zverev drives in a forehand on his way to forcing deuce.

The German is unable to create a first break point, however, as he lifts an attempted lob beyond the baseline.

Carlos Alcaraz is really beginning to frustrate Alexander Zverev as he makes a backhand winner to extend the game beyond 10 minutes.

But the German eventually gets over the line after a fifth deuce. How he needed that.

Carlos Alcaraz attempts to lob Alexander Zverev on break point but overhits.

Zverev turns the game back in his favour, only to double fault on game point before staring at his team.

The German is given a time warning by the umpire, which is unlikely to improve his mood after he's denied a second and third chance to escape.

This already feels like a key game.

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There wasn't much to separate Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev in that opening set.

But a very costly double fault for Zverev has handed world number one Alcaraz the lead.

No doubt the German is the player more in need of a positive start to set two, however he'll face an early break point after Alcaraz hammers a ferocious forehand deep into the court.

Just like that, Carlos Alcaraz will serve for the opening set after 40 minutes under the intense sunshine on Rod Laver Arena.

Another devastating wide serve gives him three opportunities to finish it off, and he only requires one as Alexander Zverev hammers a forehand well wide.

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Oh wow!

After near-perfect serving from Alexander Zverev, a second double fault of the game from the German gifts the first break of the semi-final to Carlos Alcaraz.

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And now a first double fault from Alexander Zverev.

There are some slight signs of frustration from Carlos Alcaraz as 0-15 turns to 30-15 and he continues to search for a way to break down, and it seems to have fired him up.

Another break point for the Spaniard!

A first double fault from Carlos Alcaraz - but Alexander Zverev can't capitalise.

Well, he's not allowed to, really. Alcaraz resets to put together a run of four points. As you were.

Alexander Zverev serves his way to safety, slamming in a couple of first serves before hanging in a rally long enough to see Carlos Alcaraz drop a backhand into the net.

A first spot of trouble very well handled by the German third seed.

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Alexander Zverev pops his first ace on the board as these to continue to look rock-solid on serve.

But from 30-0, Alcaraz draws level as Zverev pulls a shot wide from the baseline.

Stunning shot! Alcaraz sets up his first break point with a backhand from the back of the court which just about catches the line.

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Ace number three from Carlos Alcaraz, a 166km per hour bullet out wide, helps him take charge of another game - and another couple of big first serves ensure he levels again at 3-3.