Alexander Zverev has earned himself another golden opportunity to win a maiden Grand Slam title.
Zverev defeated Learner Tien to book his place in the final four of the Australian Open, where he will now take on world number one Carlos Alcaraz for the 12th time in his career.
The German, who made the final at Melbourne Park last season, has enjoyed an impressive run at the 2026 edition of the tournament so far, securing wins over Cam Norrie, Francisco Cerundolo and Tien.
Who is going to win the men’s Australian Open title?
He is tied 6-6 in the head-to-head against his next opponent, Alcaraz, with his last victory over the Spaniard coming at the 2024 ATP Finals
Ahead of the semifinal clash between the two, British tennis legend Tim Henman suggested exactly what Zverev’s game plan should be if he is to have any chance of making the final.
Tim Henman discusses Alexander Zverev’s game in Melbourne
Speaking on TNT, Henman said of the 28-year-old: “He was playing well and got through to the final [in 2025], and then he lost, and I really felt like Zverev’s game tapered off in quite a significant fashion.
“But this year I have been impressed. Zverev did well against Learner Tien, and the bit that has changed my opinion, where I am more positive, is that he is coming in to finish the point at the net more.
“He has been serving incredibly well and getting a lot of cheap points. He has used the serve and volley occasionally when his opponent has been standing on the baseline and when he has had opportunities on the forehand he has hit it and moved forward.
“If he just ends up in baseline exchanges with Alcaraz there is only going to be one winner but if Zverev can understand that there is a way to have an impact and that’s being aggressive, there is a small chance. But he is a significant underdog in my opinion.”
Alexander Zverev’s campaign at the Australian Open so far
Zverev kicked his 2026 Australian Open campaign off by coming back from a set down to defeat Gabriel Diallo in round one.
He followed it up with two more four-set wins over Alexandre Muller and 26th seed Norrie to reach the fourth round.
Where will Alexander Zverev finish 2026 ranked?
There, Zverev clinched his first victory in straight sets over Francisco Cerundolo, gaining his third consecutive triumph over the Argentine.
Tien posed a threat to Zverev, as the American had been in fine form, but the world number three got over the line, winning 6-3, 6-7, 6-1, 7-6.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
