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MELBOURNE, Australia – It will be the “lucky 13th” meeting between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, when they clash in the Australian Open semifinals on Friday.

(It will be the first match up – not before 2:30 p.m. after the mixed doubles final at noon).

What’s somewhat surprising is that this head-to-head is even: 6-6.

The two are six years apart, different tennis generations, in truth. And Zverev had to go from figuring out the puzzle that was beating at least two of the “Big 3” to win a Grand Slam to figuring out how to beat the “Big 2”, who faced off in all four majors last season.

So far, he’s not found the formula.

They are 2-2 at Grand Slams; Zverev won their first meeting in the 2022 Roland Garros quarterfinals. Then Alcaraz beat Zverev in lightning-quick fashion in the 2023 US Open quarterfinals.

Two years ago in Australia – also in the quarters – it was Zverev’s turn. And in their most recent meeting, in the final of Roland Garros in 2024, Zverev lost a tough five-setter.

So he’s close? But not close?

The (near)-impossible task

They last met in the semis of Cincinnati last August, won easily by Alcaraz. But he’s only 3-2 overall on outdoor hard courts.

All of which to say, it should be … competitive? Right?

That would basically be a first for this Australian Open, which has run true to form to an extent that we haven’t often seen in recent years.

The four top seeds are in the men’s semifinals.

Here is Alcaraz on the practice court Thursday afternoon, getting ready.

Quotable quotes

Zverev: “Whoever I’m going to play in the semis, Carlos or Alex (de Minaur), they’re great players. You just are looking forward to a fantastic match. That’s what you are looking forward to. Of course, in my case, yeah, I’m still chasing that desired (Grand) Slam. Of course, I still want to achieve that, but I also want to enjoy my tennis. Right now I’m doing that, and that’s the most important thing for me.”

Alcaraz: “The week before, I got a practice with him, which the level was really, really high. It was 7-6. Probably one hour 30 (one) set. So it was a high level of tennis, high level of intensity. I’ve watched his matches through the tournament – it was impressive the level he’s been playing so far, so it’s going to be a great battle.

“I know that he’s serving pretty well. He’s playing really solid and aggressive when he can in the rallies from the baseline. I will be ready, for sure. I’m excited about playing him here in AO in a semifinal. So I know what I have to do. I will be well-prepared for that match, and yeah, if he wants to beat me, he has to sweat a lot (smiling).”