Key events
Third set: Djokovic* 4-6, 6-7, 2-5 Alcaraz (*denotes next server)
It looks as if everything is hurting for Djokovic now – including probably his pride – but he manages some laughter as he crashes into a few photographers on his way to falling 30-0 down. And the game goes from bad to worse as he is shut out to love.
Third set: Djokovic 4-6, 6-7, 2-4 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server)
Alcaraz has Djokovic on a piece of string as he draws Djokovic forward and then lifts the lob over his soon-to-be vanquished opponent. Even Djokovic is applauding. But he somehow hauls himself through the game to 30. The physio is poised, ready to come on at any moment, but Djokovic resists the urge to call them on.
Third set: Djokovic* 4-6, 6-7, 1-4 Alcaraz (*denotes next server)
Alcaraz decides to get in on the act with a double fault of his own. But that’s the only blot in the serving book for Alcaraz, who holds to 15 to back up the break, with Djokovic now barely moving between – or even during – points. His day appears to be nearly done – it’s just a matter of whether Alcaraz finishes this off in two games or whether Djokovic can mount a final flourish.
Alcaraz breaks: Djokovic 4-6, 6-7, 1-3 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server)
Now Alcaraz is 15-30 on Djokovic’s serve, and Djokovic dumps a tired 80mph second serve into the net. 15-40 … and despite Alcaraz’s audacious attempt at an improvised single-handed backhand, Djokovic holds on. But Djokovic surrenders the second break point – and most likely the match – with another double. He looks spent.
Third set: Djokovic* 4-6, 6-7, 1-2 Alcaraz (*denotes next server)
Whatever happens from here, it’s worth noting Djokovic’s achievement in becoming the oldest man in the open era to reach the semi-finals of all four grand slams in a calendar year. But he struggled in those last-four matches – retiring injured against Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open and losing in straight sets to Sinner at the French Open and Wimbledon – and he’s on course for another straight-sets defeat here. What do you do when you’re so close to that elusive slam No25 but yet so far? Does he still have the motivation to make all the sacrifices necessary to continue putting himself out there? In more immediate matters, Alcaraz settles a hold to 30 with an ace.
Third set: Djokovic 4-6, 6-7, 1-1 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server)
“It’s hard not to feel for Djokovic in this purgatory,” writes Sports Illustrated’s Jon Wertheim on social media, and it’s hard not to agree. “He’s legit the third-best player in the world – still too good to walk away… But the two guys ahead of him are just too young/physical/tough… what’s the 38-year-old unrivalled champion to do?” Well, he does call for the trainer between sets for a quick MOT, but doesn’t opt for a timeout. When they resume Alcaraz holds to 15. And Djokovic holds to 30. His resistance may well prove to be futile from here on in, but he’s not going down quietly.
Alcaraz wins the second-set tie-break 7-4
… but Alcaraz is a man for the biggest moments too, and wins a huge baseline rally to grab another mini-break and lead 5-4 … and Alcaraz will get two points on his racket to serve this out. A stinging, snarling 131mph serve down the T brings up two set points. And Djokovic then knocks himself out with an errant return! Djokovic threw everything at Alcaraz in that set but still came up short. And how does the 38-year-old now come back from two sets to love down against an opponent 16 years his junior? I think for a man even of Djokovic’s superhuman levels of mental resilience it’s a task too far.
… which means five of the six points have gone against serve. Djokovic showed great resilience in his quarter-final against Fritz, saving the best for the clutch moments, and he does so again here, chasing down the drop and sending a vicious angled forehand past an ailing and flailing Alcaraz! At 4-3 they’re back on serve …
Alcaraz’s return is too hot for Djokovic to handle on the opening point. So an early mini-break. Which is soon 2-0. The crowd don’t know what to do with themselves when Djokovic drop shots, then lobs and Alcaraz’s overhead goes into the net. A grinning Djokovic urges the crowd to keep applauding, but they’re then applauding Alcaraz when he moves 3-1 ahead. The turn coats. Djokovic, perhaps emboldened by that drop shot at 2-0, tries to repeat the trick, but it’s a tame effort. 4-1 Alcaraz, make that 4-2 at the change of ends …
Second set: Djokovic* 4-6, 6-6 Alcaraz (*denotes next server)
Djokovic puffs out his cheeks after a quicker-than-quick love hold. Laura Robson notes on commentary that Djokovic has stepped up the court about 15% on average in this set, taking some of Alcaraz’s time away. But it’s Alcaraz who wants to get on with it, as he steps up to serve a good 15 or so seconds before Djokovic gets out of his chair. And the game doesn’t last too much longer than that either, as Alcaraz whistles through to 15. So after two speedy holds, we’ve got ourselves a tie-break. Which stirs memories of last year’s Olympic final, when Djokovic won in two superb tie-break sets.
Second set: Djokovic* 4-6, 5-5 Alcaraz (*denotes next server)
All of Alcaraz’s victories have come in straight sets this fortnight, but he’s serving to stay in this set. “Great reset from Carlos to level the second set but I’ve not seen Novak this assertive since winning gold at the Olympics. He’s hell for leather throttle,” emails Lisa Gershon. I think that’s what the motivation of history will do for you. Djokovic knows, as each slam goes by, his chances of No25 get smaller. He’ll leave nothing out there. But he can’t prevent Alcaraz from holding to 15 here.
Second set: Djokovic 4-6, 5-4 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server)
A very squeaky-shoed rally at 0-30 – why is it that Djokovic’s shoes always sound squeakier than anyone else’s? – but anyway, I digress. Djokovic eventually emerges victorious to prevent three break points. Instead it’s 15-30, 30-all and then 40-30, when Alcaraz does all the heavy lifting, pinning Djokovic deep to the forehand side before attempting a drop shot to Djokovic’s left, but he nets! Alcaraz, usually so calm, goes all sweary. At one hour and 29 minutes, this is already Alcaraz’s longest match of the tournament so far.
Second set: Djokovic* 4-6, 4-4 Alcaraz (*denotes next server)
Alcaraz sees Djokovic’s love hold and looks as if he’s going to raise it with one of even higher quality, when a scooped backhand cross-court pass gets him to 40-0. But he then clobbers long not once but twice. 40-30. The Spaniard steadies himself with a winning volley as Stefan Edberg looks on. One of the greatest volleyers the game has seen will have been impressed with that, even if he does look somewhat impassive. Neither of the players on court are, though; they know they’re getting to the business end of this set.
Second set: Djokovic 4-6, 4-3 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic does, at least, check Alcaraz’s momentum with a hold to love. Back to you Carlos …
Second set: Djokovic* 4-6, 3-3 Alcaraz (*denotes next server)
After Alcaraz’s hot shot in that previous game, it’s a case of hot shots part deux as Alcaraz pulls off one of his trademark sliced deep forehand winners to secure the hold to 15. He’s skipping back to his chair; Djokovic has the look of a man who’s trying to survive the storm.
Alcaraz breaks back: Djokovic 4-6, 3-2 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server)
A rueful shake of the head from Djokovic as he slips 15-30 behind after a missed volley. A timely first serve gets him out of trouble. A lung-busting exchange on the next point, and after a draining duel at the baseline, Djokovic decides to take matters into his own hands by coming to the net, but with a flick of that magic wrist Alcaraz fizzes a forehand winner past the stranded Serb for 30-40! Wow. That’ll make the highlights reel. Djokovic can’t make his first serve on the break-back point. Can Alcaraz punish the second? No, but he gets the return back, and a few shots later Djokovic blinks on his backhand! There have been too many errors on that side today. They’re back on serve.
Second set: Djokovic* 4-6, 3-1 Alcaraz (*denotes next server)
15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game. What a way to back up the break. Djokovic leads 3-0. And that’s from 0-30 down in the opening game of this set. The crowd are screaming once more. I’m not sure Alcaraz has been on the receiving end of this too many times in his career. But the spectators want a match. And they’ve got one. And Alcaraz then blocks out the noise to hold to 15.
Djokovic breaks: Djokovic* 4-6, 2-0 Alcaraz (*denotes next server)
Djokovic takes the opening point. That’s five points on the spin. He’s hitting with such depth and consistency right now. And 0-15 eventually turns into 30-40. The first break point for Djokovic this match. He’s skipping around on the baseline with relentless energy as he waits to receive – who’d know he was the 38-year-old – and then he’s moving all over the shop on the break point, as is Alcaraz, who gets the lob back but then hits long! Djokovic roars from the depth of his being. As do many in the crowd. Game. On.
Second set: Djokovic 4-6, 1-0 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server)
A colossal Alcaraz forehand to take the breath away gives Djokovic no chance at the net. It’s 0-30. This is where Alcaraz broke in the first set … can he repeat the trick here? No, because he lets Djokovic back in for 40-30, and with both players hitting so deep and true, Djokovic hammers a forehand down the line to settle matters!
Alcaraz wins the first set 6-4
At 15-0, possibly the point of the semi-final as Alcaraz, at the net, drop shots, Djokovic darts forward like a 22-year-old to lob, Alcaraz scrambles back to retrieve, gets it back, but then gets caught out on his next shot. 15-all develops into 30-all. Alcaraz is two points from the set – Djokovic is two points from his first break. The umpire has to tell the crowd to calm down. Not that Djokovic looks at all calm when he nets the return. Alcaraz has his first set point … and Djokovic nets the return once more! After 48 minutes Alcaraz takes the first set – a set, you have to say, was probably more important for the 38-year-old Djokovic to win. But all is not lost: Djokovic did come from a set down to beat Alcaraz in this year’s Australian Open quarter-final. And that was on only one leg.
First set: Djokovic 4-5 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server)
Alcaraz is scratching his head when he misses the chance to go 0-30 up. So instead it’s 15-all. A tame slice (or maybe it was even an attempted drop shot) from Alcaraz then ends up in the net – his forehand has been on fire so far, with more power than in any other match he’s played this tournament, but his touch has let him down a little, especially on the drop shot, which is usually one of his most trusty shots. Anyhow, Djokovic holds to 15. Alcaraz will serve for the set.
First set: Djokovic* 3-5 Alcaraz (*denotes next server)
The atmosphere has dropped a bit after a few drama-free games. This one is the most drama-free of the lot: 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game. The first love hold of the match. Time is running out for Djokovic to break. And Djokovic also knows he must now hold serve to stay in the set.
First set: Djokovic 3-4 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server)
A swirling circle of doom on my computer. Gah. It lasts for most of this game. But I can tell you that from 30-all a winning forehand from Djokovic combined with a forehand forced error from Alcaraz settle it.
First set: Djokovic* 2-4 Alcaraz (*denotes next server)
Certainly not in this game. He does win the second point, despite a 114mph second serve from Alcaraz, but that’s as good as it gets. Alcaraz then powers away a forehand, punishing Djokovic for not quite hitting with enough depth, and smacks another forehand winner for 40-15, before sealing his third hold.
First set: Djokovic 2-3 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server)
Another blistering backhand down the line gets Djokovic out of a little hole at 15-30. A second ace (to Alcaraz’s zero) makes it 40-30. And Alcaraz concedes the game with another drop-shot error. That’s Djokovic’s most comfortable hold so far. But can he find a way to break back?
And look who’s watching.
First set: Djokovic* 1-3 Alcaraz (*denotes next server)
It’s hot and muggy today, the warmest day of the tournament so far, at about 27 degrees. Which is likely to help Alcaraz’s power and spin. Djokovic is already clutching his neck and shoulder as Alcaraz advances to 30-0, such is the workout he’s already endured in three and a half games, and he hangs his head as it becomes 40-0. Alcaraz then attempts to cut Djokovic in half with a body serve, but Djokovic reacts quickly to get it back and Alcaraz miscues. Before double faulting. And uncharacteristically underhitting his drop shot! From 40-0 it’s deuce. Djokovic nets with a poor slice … before getting the crowd on their feet with an open-stance 92mph backhand winner down the line!! He was so far beyond the baseline he was almost downtown. But he misses two cheap shots and Alcaraz maintains the break. Absorbing stuff.
First set: Djokovic 1-2 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic opted not to practise on Wednesday and yesterday, to rest his 38-year-old body after his quarter-final against Taylor Fritz, and despite having a decent practice earlier, he’s been caught cold so far. Djokovic looks to finally be finding his feet at 30-0, but Alcaraz comes back for 30-all, jumping on a weak second serve. Alcaraz has Djokovic sprinting and sliding and doing the splits on the next point, Djokovic attempts the pass, but it doesn’t land in. Alcaraz is smiling, Djokovic is grimacing, because here’s a point for a double break. This time Djokovic is able to repel the Spaniard, taking the next three points for his first hold. He’s on the board. But it’s taken 16 testing minutes.
First set: Djokovic* 0-2 Alcaraz (*denotes next server)
Alcaraz, again wearing his pink sleeveless top/purple short combo, looking more like he’s ready for the beach than a date with one of the game’s greats, swiftly moves to 30-0. And then 40-15, with a 128mph serve out wide. Alcaraz errs on his backhand for 40-30, but an untidy forehand from Djokovic also ends up in the net. Having taken that virtual 2-0 lead before this semi-final started, that scoreline has now become a reality.
Alcaraz breaks: Djokovic 0-1 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server)
So Djokovic is serving first. He starts as he means to go on, winning the opening point when Alcaraz flashes a forehand wide. And, it has to be said, there’s a larger than expected cheer when Djokovic takes it. Djokovic drops the next two points by netting on both, then it’s Alcaraz’s turn to get in on the net-bashing act. 30-all. Djokovic hits a weak backhand into the net and already here’s the first break point of the semi-final. Alcaraz looks for all the world as if he’s going to win it, doing all the hard work and big hitting, but moves forward to round things off … and makes a mess of the volley! Deuce turns into advantage Djokovic, then deuce, then advantage Alcaraz. And Alcaraz breaks when Djokovic balloons long! As if Djokovic didn’t already know how tough this match was going to be, he does now.
Djokovic arrives on Arthur Ashe first. There’s barely a spare seat in the near-24,000-capacity house, the biggest stadium in tennis. Alcaraz follows, somewhat predictably getting the greater applause, and he also wins the coin toss too. So he’s already 2-0 up in a way. But there’s no sight of the biggest smile in tennis; he’s got his gameface on. Martina then finally offers her prediction, and is also backing Alcaraz in four.
Here’s Novak. He’s asked before stepping on to court how his body is feeling. “It’s feeling alright, let’s see. I’m expecting a very physical battle. I look forward to it, the challenge.”
And then it’s Carlos. “To be honest in the grand slams having two days to rest [before this semi-final], to feel fresh, is great. I recharged the battery physically and mentally. I’ve been really consistent this tournament [on serve], which I’m really happy about. But now I’m facing one of the best returners, it’s going to be tricky.”
Martina is, however, talking tactics. I think the key for Djokovic will be how well he serves. He’s become increasingly reliant on his serve to reduce the length of points, which is almost the opposite of prime Djokovic, who knew he could out-rally anyone. At the Australian Open this year, when Djokovic was struggling with his leg problem in their quarter-final, he was forced to play first-strike tennis to win and, although it goes against his instincts, a similar approach today probably represents his best chance of victory.
Tim Henman is going for an Alcaraz win in four sets, as is former NFL player Jason Bell, who’s a guest in the Sky studio. I’m not going to argue with that; I’m predicting Alcaraz in four too. “Djokovic can keep it close, but that speed of movement and firepower from the back of the court and extra sparkling of stardust that Alcaraz has will get him over the line,” Henman says. Poor Martina hasn’t yet been asked for her prediction. Good to see she’s back on Sky after this. Awkward.
“Alcaraz should be the clear favourite against Djokovic – he’s young, in his athletic prime and is riding a wave of absurd consistency,” emails an excited Gavriella Epstein-Lightma. “He’s reached the finals in each of his last seven tournaments. Alcaraz’s last defeat that did not fall in a final was in Miami against … David Goffin.
“Yet the one thing that should give Djokovic a tiny glimmer of hope is the curious reality that Alcaraz sometimes falters against Djokovic. Whereas Sinner now dispatches Djokovic with ruthless efficiency (as seen in how he is 6-0 in sets at grand slams against Djokovic this year), Alcaraz has more to prove. What a tantalising prospect this match is.”
Do remember: this is where you can get in touch with any predictions or predilections. It’s always good to hear from you.
There Alcaraz is, backstage, headphones on, flexing his muscles, doing a bit of dancing and sucking on what appears to be an energy gel. “I’ll have whatever he’s having,” quips Martina Navratilova on Sky Sports. He looks so relaxed as always.
In the girls’ singles, the defending champion Mika Stojsavljevic and Hannah Klugman have been unable to set up an all-British final. Stojsavljevic has just lost in three sets, after Klugman’s straight-sets defeat earlier. In the quad singles, Andy Lapthorne went out in the last four, while in the wheelchair men’s singles, Alfie Hewett has just been edged out 7-5 in a third set by Argentina’s Gustavo Fernandez. Hewett will have the chance to get his revenge against Fernandez later in the final of the men’s doubles.
There have been plenty of matches already today. Taylor Townsend’s eventful US Open – including unwittingly getting involved in that row with Jelena Ostapenko and then her last-16 exit in the singles after holding eight match points against Barbora Krejcikova – has ended with defeat in the women’s doubles final. The American, along with her Czech partner Katerina Siniakova, who were the top seeds, lost 6-4, 6-4 to Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski and New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe. For Dabrowski and Routliffe, it’s their second US Open doubles title in three years.
Here’s Tumaini’s preview too:
Carlos Alcaraz took his final leave from Rod Laver Arena this year consumed by frustration. Losing at the Australian Open, the first grand slam tournament of the year, was painful enough, but Alcaraz’s disappointment was particularly down to how he had lost.
Novak Djokovic had visibly begun to struggle with a leg injury early in their four-set quarter-final, but instead of focusing on his own game, Alcaraz found himself staring across the net and thinking too much about his opponent’s condition rather than about what he needed to win. While the Spaniard’s focus wavered, Djokovic’s difficulties inspired his most offensive, decisive tennis, and he willed himself to a miraculous victory.
That meeting was the last encounter in what has become one of the most unusual rivalries the sport has seen. At 38 and 22 respectively, Djokovic and Alcaraz were born 16 years apart. Their first meeting at the Madrid Open in May 2022, won by Alcaraz, occurred two days after his 19th birthday and two weeks before Djokovic turned 35. Considering that significant age gap, just one match between them would have been a fortunate outcome.
Instead, when they enter Arthur Ashe Stadium for their semi-final match on Friday, they will have met on every single major stage in professional tennis: Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open, the Olympic Games and ATP Finals. Djokovic leads their head-to-head 5-3 and those meetings have included some of the most memorable matches in the sport, from Alcaraz’s recovery to win his first Wimbledon title in 2023 to Djokovic’s career‑completing Olympic gold medal triumph last year.
The contrasting dynamics of their careers have always been at the forefront of this match, with the Serb desperately fighting to maintain his high level despite his advancing age while Alcaraz attempts to mature and grow as he moves closer to his physical peak.
This tournament has underscored both of those challenges. After spending his early years succeeding despite his wavering focus and impulsive shot selection, Alcaraz has never been more consistent. The 22‑year‑old is seeking to reach an eighth consecutive final and a third major final in a row. The confidence he has gained from an immense summer has afforded him his first run to a grand slam semi-final without dropping a set. Alongside his improved concentration and clarity of thought on each point, the development of Alcaraz’s serve into an increasingly consistent weapon has been invaluable.
You can read the rest here.
Preamble
I wonder what Novak Djokovic thinks when he looks at Carlos Alcaraz and sees a smiling assassin who stopped him from winning that elusive 25th grand slam title in last year’s Wimbledon final, has already accumulated more majors than he had at the age of 22, is loved and adored in a way Djokovic never has been and has emphatically made sure – along with Jannik Sinner – that the Serb is no longer the main man in tennis.
You wouldn’t blame Djokovic if he hated the sight of the Spaniard (though with Carlos that’s hard) or at least felt some envy towards today’s semi-final opponent, who serves as a reminder of the time the 38-year-old doesn’t have left in tennis and the one remaining piece of history he still hasn’t claimed.
But there’s a sense that Djokovic may slowly be making peace with his borrowed time. He said before this tournament he doesn’t really want to be missing out on family events any more for tennis. Beyond the grand slams, his desire to continue playing has waned this year. Could this even be his last US Open? If he claimed undisputed GOAT-ness by winning the title, you feel it may be.
What does seem certain, however, is that, barring an Alcaraz injury, Djokovic will not only have to play a near-perfect match but also hope his body holds up – which it hasn’t always done at the business end of slams over the past two years – if he’s to win today. Yes, he beat Alcaraz in last year’s Olympic final, but that was over the best of three sets, and yes, he also won their Australian Open quarter-final in January. But the Alcaraz in Melbourne was a shadow of the New York version of Alcaraz, who’s combined a new laser-like focus with his already supreme shotmaking to reach the last four of a slam without dropping a set for the first time.
Alcaraz has been locked-in from the start and is now loaded for a likely third consecutive major final against Sinner (Bryan will be here later to take you through Sinner v Felix Auger-Aliassime). It’s now up to Djokovic to see if he can defy not only tennis’s duopoly, but also age, the odds and any sense of logic.
The players will arrive at: 3pm New York time/8pm BST.
While you wait: here are the highlights from that 2024 Olympic final and also their five-set arm wrestle in the 2023 Wimbledon final. Take your pick.
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