Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic in a thrilling semi-final match at the US Open, securing his place in the tournament’s final with a score of 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2. The victory not only granted Alcaraz a spot in his second US Open final but also denied Djokovic, aged 38, the opportunity to claim a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.
Djokovic came into the match after a two-day break, hoping to leverage his extensive experience against the 20-year-old Spaniard. The two players faced off in a high-stakes encounter, with Djokovic having previously defeated Alcaraz to win the Olympic gold medal last summer. Despite this, Alcaraz showcased exceptional form throughout the tournament, having not lost a set leading up to the semi-finals.
Alcaraz Eyes Sixth Grand Slam Title
The victory at Flushing Meadows is particularly significant for Alcaraz, who won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open three years ago. Now, he aims to secure a sixth major title and his second of the year. His performance against Djokovic was marked by strategic play and resilience, effectively neutralizing the Serbian’s attempts to regain control of the match.
In the other semi-final, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner faced Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime. A win for Sinner would propel him into his fifth consecutive Grand Slam final, continuing his impressive run in the sport. For Auger-Aliassime, this semi-final marks a return to this stage after first reaching the last four in New York four years ago.
Disappointments for British Contenders
The tournament has not been as kind to British players. Mika Stojsavljevic, who was defending her US Open junior title, suffered a semi-final defeat against Sweden’s Lea Nilsson. Stojsavljevic had aimed to become the first player to retain the girls’ singles crown in New York, but she was ultimately defeated with a score of 0-6, 6-1, 6-1.
Moreover, Hannah Klugman, seeded second, also faced disappointment in her semi-final match, losing 6-3, 6-2 to Belgium’s Jeline Vandromme. Klugman had reached the French Open final earlier in the season, raising expectations for her performance in New York.
Adding to the day’s disappointments, five-time US Open wheelchair singles champion Alfie Hewett was eliminated after a hard-fought semi-final, losing 6-7 (4-7), 6-1, 7-5 to Argentina’s Gustavo Fernandez.
The culmination of the US Open is set to be a thrilling event, with fans eagerly anticipating the final showdown and the potential for more memorable moments in tennis history.
