For the ninth time, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic met on a Grand Slam stage. But this time, it wasn’t a five-set classic — it was a changing-of-the-guard moment.
Alcaraz defeated the 24-time major champion 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-1 in Friday’s semifinal at the 2025 US Open, marking the most one-sided result in their rivalry to date. The 22-year-old Spaniard showed poise, power, and stamina as he booked his spot in a second US Open final and remained undefeated in sets throughout the tournament.
For Djokovic, the loss marked his fourth straight semifinal exit at a major this year — and perhaps the clearest sign yet that time is catching up.
“I ran out of gas after the second set,” the 38-year-old admitted. “I think I had enough energy to battle him for two sets. After that I was gassed out, and he kept going.”
He added: “Best-of-five makes it very, very difficult for me… particularly if it’s the end stages of a Slam.”
That physical drop-off was clear in the third set, where Alcaraz sprinted to the finish with twice as many winners (31 to Djokovic’s 15), while maintaining the control and intensity that defined his game all night.
A Match Reversed
In a role reversal, Djokovic began the match looking tentative and slow — typically how his opponents look against him. He was broken in the very first game and never quite recovered. Alcaraz, by contrast, blistered forehands, served well, and stayed a step ahead.
Djokovic raised his level in the second, breaking for 2-0 and thrilling the Arthur Ashe crowd with moments of vintage brilliance. But Alcaraz responded immediately, snatching the break back with a highlight-reel flick-pass that drew applause even from Djokovic himself.
The second-set tiebreaker proved decisive. With Djokovic trailing 3-4, he had a chance to turn the momentum with a down-the-line forehand — but clipped the net cord instead. Former US Open finalist Jimmy Connors, watching from the stands, slammed his hand in frustration. He knew Djokovic’s window was closing.
Alcaraz closed the tiebreak and quickly rolled through the third set, breaking early and never looking back.
“A Really Physical Match”
Despite the dominant scoreline, Alcaraz admitted: “It wasn’t the best level of the tournament for me. But I kept a good level from the beginning until the last point. I served pretty well today, which I thought was really important.”
Perhaps more telling was this: “I tried to play a really physical match.” It was a deliberate strategy against a legendary opponent whose stamina once seemed bottomless — but not anymore. Alcaraz, with youth and speed on his side, made it count.
Now, with 44 wins in his last 46 matches, Alcaraz is one step away from a sixth Grand Slam title and remains in the hunt to complete a Career Grand Slam by age 23 — should he win the Australian Open next year.
On Sunday, he’ll face either world No. 1 Jannik Sinner or No. 25 Félix Auger-Aliassime in the final. But on Friday night, one thing was clear: the future of men’s tennis isn’t coming — it’s already here.
