Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-2 in a blockbuster semi-final on Friday, booking his place in the US Open final and ending the Serb’s hopes of a record-extending 25th major title.
The 21-year-old Spaniard, champion in New York in 2022, set the tone by breaking in the opening game and never allowed Djokovic a single break point in the first set.
Although the veteran fought back to take a lead in the second, Alcaraz’s relentless power and precision carried him through a tense tiebreak before pulling clear in the third set.Djokovic, 38, showed flashes of his resilience but faded as the match wore on, committing costly double faults and struggling to match his younger rival’s tempo.
The contest ended with a wide forehand from the Serb, who smiled as he congratulated Alcaraz at the net.“Once again in the final of the US Open, it feels amazing and it means a lot to me,” Alcaraz said.
“It was a really physical match, and I had to give everything.”Alcaraz, who struck twice as many winners as Djokovic, now advances to face defending champion Jannik Sinner in Sunday’s final, setting up a mouth-watering renewal of their growing rivalry.
