NEW YORK, 2025 – As the US Open approaches its climactic weekend, all eyes are on the anticipated showdown between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Yet, one formidable opponent isn’t ready to step aside just yet. Novak Djokovic, the record-holder for most Grand Slam titles and a titan of the sport, openly acknowledges the immense talent that Sinner and Alcaraz bring to the court.
Following his quarterfinal victory over Taylor Fritz, Djokovic stated, “There’s a strong expectation for a final between them, but I intend to disrupt those plans.” The 38-year-old Serb will face off against the 22-year-old Alcaraz, the tournament’s No. 2 seed, in a highly anticipated semifinal match this Friday.
The winner will advance to battle either top-ranked Sinner or No. 25 Felix Auger-Aliassime, who will also clash on Friday. Notably, Alcaraz and Sinner have previously met in the finals of the last two Grand Slam tournaments, securing seven major titles between them.
This upcoming match marks their ninth encounter, with Djokovic holding a slight edge at 5-3, yet Alcaraz is favored based on recent form. Djokovic, striving for his 25th Grand Slam title to surpass Margaret Court’s record, and Alcaraz, aiming for his third consecutive major final, both have a lot to prove.
Will Djokovic Prevail?
Despite his age, Djokovic’s hard-court history against Alcaraz is solid; he emerged victorious in their last meeting during the Australian Open. However, he faced challenges during the tournament, having played several four-set matches and dealing with injury concerns. Grateful for the additional rest before the semifinals, he shared, “I’ll focus on self-care to prepare for a potential five-set battle.”
Although he has voiced some fatigue, Djokovic remains confident in his ability to dig deep when it matters. “You have to play with heart and fight—that’s what helped me win,” he remarked.
Djokovic’s service game has been on point throughout the tournament, winning an impressive 92% of his service games, and he demonstrated remarkable resilience in his matches.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz has been nothing short of dominant. The reigning champion has reached the quarterfinals without losing a single set and boasts a staggering 99% success rate on his service games. He cited improvement in his serve as a key factor in his success and indicated that he’s eager for a challenge against Djokovic, hinting at a desire for revenge after their previous encounters.
The Verdict
With both players poised to deliver their best performances, the question remains: who will triumph? Djokovic knows what lies ahead and the weight of history hangs heavy on his shoulders. On the other hand, Alcaraz brings confidence and a lighthearted approach to the semifinals.
If Djokovic can harness his experience and sustain his momentum, he may just steal the show. However, if Alcaraz maintains his current trajectory, he could well emerge victorious.
Prediction: Alcaraz in four sets.