Djokovic Experiences Defeat, Alcaraz Advances To US Open Final

JAKARTA - Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of the US Open, Friday, September 5 local time or Saturday WIB, with a score of 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-2 to reach the final of his seventh major tournament and the second in New York.

In the two-hour 25-minute match at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Alcaraz took revenge for his defeat to Djokovic at the Australian Open this year and the 2024 Paris Olympics to stay on track for his sixth Grand Slam title and return to world No.1.

"It feels amazing. Once again in the US Open final, it feels amazing," Alcaraz said after the match, quoting Antara.

"This means a lot to me. Today, I can say it's not the best level of this tournament for me, but I keep the level of the game good from start to point one.

"I did a pretty good service, I think it's very, very important. Trying to play a very physical match and I think I did it," said the Spaniard.

"Overall, I played very well in tennis and I am very happy to be playing in my second final here."

Alcaraz beat Djokovic by showing a high fighting spirit in the second set, rising from 0-3 to lead two crucial sets.

He then dominated the tempo with his punch and took control in most of the game against the Serbian, who were physically struggling in the third set.

With his win, Alcaraz improved his record to 4-5 against Djokovic in head to head, and extended his streak of winning streaks to 12 matches.

The second seed advanced to the final in the last eight tournaments he has participated in since Monte Carlo in April. His last win was achieved in Cincinnati, where he lifted his eighth ATP Masters 1000 trophy last month.

After defeating Djokovic, Alcaraz had the chance to meet Jannik Sinner in the final. If the Italian beat Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semifinals, and advance to the final, Alcaraz and Sinner will be the first two men to meet in three major tournament finals in one season.

Alcaraz beat Sinner at Roland Garros before the 24-year-old took revenge at Wimbledon to lift his fourth Grand Slam title.

If Sinner fails to advance to the final, Alcaraz will return to world number one on Monday (8/9), for the first time since September 2023.

If Sinner reaches the final, US Open 2022 champion Alcaraz will have to lift the trophy to surpass the Italian, who has been at the top since June 2024.

With 60 wins and six titles in 2025, according to the ATP winning/loss index, Alcaraz is in a good position to surpass his best record, namely 65 wins and six trophies, in 2023.

Alcaraz has confirmed tickets to the ATP Finals, which will be held on November 9-16 in Turin.