Alcaraz Outsmarts Djokovic 6-4, 7-6, 6-2 to Secure His Spot in the US Open Final
Carlos Alcaraz, the dynamic 22-year-old sensation from Spain, continues his remarkable journey. He made history in the fall of 2022, seizing the title at the US Open as the youngest champion and rising to the number one ranking. Currently sitting at #2, he’s poised to overtake Jannik Sinner if he lifts the trophy this Sunday evening.
This year, Alcaraz leads the ATP Tour with an impressive tally of six titles, including two prominent Masters 1000 victories and a Grand Slam at Roland Garros. Meanwhile, veteran Novak Djokovic, a solid sixteen years his senior, has yet to capture a Grand Slam title since his 2023 US Open win against Medvedev. To say he’s eager is an understatement; counting him out would be unwise.
The former world #1 and 24-time Grand Slam champion, hailing from Serbia, holds the record for the most US Open finals appearances at ten, with four titles to his name. He boasted a head-to-head record of 5-3 against Alcaraz, including a dominant 3-0 on hardcourts, and had come out on top in their last two encounters: at the Australian Open in 2025 and the 2024 Summer Olympics.
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In an electrifying atmosphere at Arthur Ashe Stadium with the roof wide open, Djokovic served first, greeted by a roaring NYC crowd. However, he stumbled with 5/10 on first serves, encountered two deuce points, and dropped serve due to a flurry of unforced errors. Alcaraz responded with 3/6 on first serves, including a thunderous 128 mph service up the tee, holding strong to consolidate the break.
Djokovic showcased a brilliant forehand volley but found himself facing a break point and deuce, yet managed to hold for 1-2 with his first ace. Although Alcaraz commanded the pace on the court, he faltered on serve, missing 6/10 first serves, including a double fault. After leading 400, he encountered two deuce points but prevailed after Djokovic mishit a couple of returns.
Djokovic stumbled at the start of the fifth with two early errors, including a double fault, but regained composure to hold to 30 following an ace and a mishit drop shot by Alcaraz. The world #2 followed with a stunning cross-court backhand and two additional winners, holding at 15 for 4-2.
Djokovic roared back with a powerful service down the middle and a winning crosscourt forehand to hold at 30 for 3-4, while Alcaraz struck a colossal serve to hold to love. Djokovic held to 15 for 3-5.
The reigning French Open champion served for the set amidst chants of “Novak” echoing from the crowd. Undeterred, he notched his first ace and clinched the set 6-4 after Djokovic netted a forehand.
In the second set, Djokovic served first but faltered with back-to-back forehand errors, allowing Alcaraz to capitalize with four unforced errors and break serve. The energized crowd erupted in approval as Djokovic stepped up to serve again. He responded by hitting 4/4 on first serves, holding at love to consolidate the break. Alcaraz wasn’t deterred; with an emphatic forehand volley and drop shot, he held at 15 for 1-3.
With Djokovic contributing three unforced errors, including one that resulted in a break of serve, Alcaraz hit two forehand winners to consolidate the break at 3-3. Djokovic responded with a cross-court winner and a forehand down the line, holding at love.
Alcaraz created three incredible winners to level the set at four-all, while Djokovic’s double fault and a netted backhand in a 27-shot rally brought him to a precarious position at 5-4. Serving to stay in the set, Alcaraz responded with two aces, holding to 15 to force a tiebreak.
As the tiebreak unfolded, Alcaraz surged ahead with a 4-1 lead after Djokovic’s unforced errors. The seasoned champion drew closer to 4-5, but Alcaraz’s steadiness allowed him to seal the set, clinching the breaker with a powerful 131 mph serve and another error from the Serbian.
During the third set, Alcaraz took charge, breaking Djokovic’s serve early. He extended his lead to 4-1 with another ace. It seemed Djokovic was struggling physically as Alcaraz continued to dictate play with impressive pace.
The seventh seed held strong to 30 for 2-4, while Alcaraz closed out his game at love with an incredible inside-out forehand. Djokovic found himself at 2-5, needing to serve to stay in the match. Unfortunately, a critical double fault coupled with a mishit volley sealed his fate.
Djokovic will now have to wait until next year in Australia for a chance to capture his record-extending 25th Grand Slam title. Alcaraz has reached the final without dropping a set and has achieved the remarkable feat of defeating Djokovic on hardcourt for the first time. At just twenty-two, he is the youngest player since Jim Courier (1991-92) to reach three consecutive Grand Slam finals.
Despite delivering a commanding performance, it was not without its flaws; Alcaraz posted thirty-one winners against thirty errors, many of which came from poorly timed drop shots. He struck seven aces compared to two double faults, winning 84% of first serves and a respectable 54% of second serves. He surrendered serve only once while successfully breaking Djokovic four times.
On Sunday, he will face the winner of the evening’s semifinal, pitting world #1 and defending champion Jannik Sinner against world #27 Felix Auger-Aliassime. Regardless of the opponent, a Grand Slam title awaits in this high-stakes showdown.
