Zverev rails at Alcaraz timeout in 'one of the best battles ever'

The Spanish world number one fought through 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (3/7), 6-7 (4/7), 7-5 over a monumental 5hrs 27 mins in Melbourne to send the gutsy German third seed home. There was controversy when Alcaraz pulled up in pain clutching his right thigh at 4-4 in the third set. He was allowed to have treatment at the changeover, leaving Zverev furious and angrily remonstrating with officials. Medical timeouts are not permitted solely for muscle cramping. "He was cramping, so normally you can't take a medical timeout for cramping," said Zverev.