Alcaraz beats Djokovic on the U.S. Open and can meet Sinner for Grand Slam remaining : NPR

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5972x3980+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5a%2Faf%2F32fcc52e419398dca8ab52c1d1be%2Fap25248787202750.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5972x3980+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5a%2Faf%2F32fcc52e419398dca8ab52c1d1be%2Fap25248787202750.jpg" class="img" alt="Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, celebrates after defeating Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, during the men's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, on Friday." fetchpriority="high"/> Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, celebrates after defeating Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, in the course of the males's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, on Friday. Seth Wenig/AP disguise caption

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Seth Wenig/AP NEW YORK — Carlos Alcaraz was about to begin a collection of TV interviews to debate the best way he used his youth, athleticism and creativity to beat the far more achieved, but additionally a lot older, Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-2 within the U.S. Open semifinals Friday.

First, although, Alcaraz requested everybody to carry on for a second. He pulled his cellphone out of a pocket so he might examine the rating of Jannik Sinner's semifinal in opposition to Felix Auger-Aliassime. It was nonetheless solely the primary set of that match, however you have to maintain tabs in your largest rival, proper?

Just a few hours later, Sinner would end off his 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Auger-Aliassime, establishing the Flushing Meadows remaining that one way or the other appeared inevitable, even when unprecedented: No. 1 Sinner and No. 2 Alcaraz will meet Sunday to determine the U.S. Open champion, marking the primary time the identical two males have performed one another in three consecutive Grand Slam finals inside one season.

"These two gamers," stated Djokovic, a 24-time main champion, "are the very best on the earth proper now."

Little question about that. They've established themselves as far and away the elite males within the recreation.

Regardless of Sunday's outcome, the duo could have cut up the previous eight main trophies and brought 10 of the previous 13. Their profession totals: Alcaraz owns 5 Slam titles, Sinner 4.

And the No. 1 rating will likely be on the road Sunday, when President Donald Trump plans to attend.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5017x3345+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5f%2Fe9%2F0b7f15a343b0a3ce24193c64444a%2Fap25249091072319.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5017x3345+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5f%2Fe9%2F0b7f15a343b0a3ce24193c64444a%2Fap25249091072319.jpg" class="img" alt="Jannik Sinner, of Italy, reacts after scoring a point against Felix Auger-Aliassime, of Canada, during the men's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, on Friday." loading="lazy"/> Jannik Sinner, of Italy, reacts after scoring a degree in opposition to Felix Auger-Aliassime, of Canada, in the course of the males's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, on Friday. Yuki Iwamura/AP disguise caption

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Yuki Iwamura/AP Alcaraz defeated Sinner on the French Open in June; Sinner defeated Alcaraz at Wimbledon in July.

Sinner is making an attempt to turn out to be the primary repeat males's champion in New York since Roger Federer received the hard-court match 5 years in a row from 2004 by means of 2008. Sinner additionally has made it to 5 straight Grand Slam finals, a stretch that began on the U.S. Open 12 months in the past.

Alcaraz hasn't dropped a set as he pursues his sixth main title and second at Flushing Meadows.

Return to April, and Alcaraz is 44-2, making it to the finals at every of his final eight tour-level occasions.

"It is one thing that I am engaged on, simply the consistency on the matches, on the tournaments, on the yr, on the whole. Simply not having up-and-downs in (a) match," Alcaraz stated. "Most likely, I am simply getting mature, simply attending to know myself a lot better, what I would like on, off the courtroom."

Because the begin of 2024, Sinner is 1-6 in opposition to Alcaraz — and 109-4 in opposition to anybody else.

"We have now performed quite a bit this yr," Sinner stated. "So we all know one another very nicely."

Alcaraz had misplaced his two most up-to-date matches in opposition to Djokovic — within the gold-medal remaining on the Paris Olympics final yr, and within the Australian Open quarterfinals this January.

"It isn't straightforward taking part in in opposition to him, to be trustworthy," Alcaraz stated. "I am fascinated with the legend; what he has achieved in his profession. It is troublesome not to consider it."

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4892x3269+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6d%2F37%2Fd5e90fe2433582fba29b714f5910%2Fap25248785731148.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4892x3269+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6d%2F37%2Fd5e90fe2433582fba29b714f5910%2Fap25248785731148.jpg" class="img" alt="Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, hugs Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, after losing to Alcaraz in the men's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, on Friday." loading="lazy"/> Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, hugs Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, after shedding to Alcaraz within the males's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, on Friday. Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP disguise caption

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Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP However by the tip, Djokovic was "gassed out," as he described it afterward, and appeared resigned to the outcome. The 38-year-old from Serbia reached the semifinals in any respect 4 Slams this season however exited in that spherical every time, three through losses to No. 2 Alcaraz, 22, or Sinner, 24.

"It is irritating on the courtroom if you end up not capable of sustain with that stage bodily, however on the similar time, it is one thing additionally anticipated, I assume," Djokovic stated. "It comes with time and with age."

His bid to turn out to be the primary participant within the sport's historical past to get Slam No. 25 was blocked once more, and he thinks a part of the difficulty is making an attempt to beat a lot youthful males in best-of-five set matches.

"I nonetheless wish to play ... (a) full Grand Slam season subsequent yr," Djokovic stated. "Let's examine whether or not that is going to occur or not, however ... Slams are Slams. They're simply completely different from another match. They're the pillars of our sport, crucial tournaments we've. However I do fancy my possibilities a bit extra in best-of-three."

He led Alcaraz 3-0 within the second set, however could not maintain that stage.

"At this time, I would say, it wasn't the very best stage of the match for me," stated Alcaraz, whose 30 unforced errors have been the identical as Djokovic's whole, "however I simply stored a cool stage (from) the start till the final level."

He was sporting a pink, sleeveless shirt and sporting practically a full head of hair lower than two weeks after exhibiting up with a buzz minimize he stated was crucial when his brother tried to play barber however tousled.

Requested whether or not he'll persist with the brand new look if he wins on Sunday, Alcaraz smiled and replied: "Even higher. You will note. ... Shock, shock."