Carlos Alcaraz gained sweet revenge against Novak Djokovic, downing the 24-time grand slam champion 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 to advance to the US Open final for the second time in his career.
The Spaniard continued the breathtaking form he has displayed across the past fortnight in New York, responding to every Djokovic challenge by landing bigger blows of his own on his way to a straight sets triumph.
Alcaraz is the first man since Roger Federer ten years ago to reach the final at Flushing Meadows without dropping set, and he ensured he would carry that record into a potential third straight grand slam final meeting with Jannik Sinner, by rallying strongly in the second set.
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Djokovic took a 3-0 lead in the second after dropping the opening set, and many were getting flashbacks to Melbourne Park in January, when the hampered Serbian fought back to win their epic quarter-final clash after losing the first set.
But there was to be no repeat this time around as Alcaraz danced around the court like a prized fighter to punch his way out of trouble with killer shot-making, and a near flawless serving display.
“It’s a great feeling. Once again the final here at US Open,” Alcaraz said.
“It feels amazing. It means a lot to me. It wasn’t the best level of the tournament for me but I just kept a good level from the beginning to the last point.
“I served pretty well. Today I think it was really important. Being there. Trying to play a really physical match.
“I think I did it. In general, I played really good tennis. Really happy to play my second final here at US Open.”
The match was emblematic of how the pair’s trajectories are heading in different directions.
Only nine months ago at the Australian Open, Djokovic had the energy and willpower to fight back despite an injury that resulted in him retiring from his semi-final against Alexander Zverev.
In the final major of the year, the 38-year-old, who has complained of a neck issue throughout the tournament, had nothing left to give as Alcaraz charged towards the finish line.
The Spaniard is now on the cusp of a sixth grand slam title, and reclaiming the world No.1 crown from Sinner.
It was the first time Alcaraz has defeated Djokovic on a hard court, and it turned the tables on their rivalry after the 38-year-old prevailed in their two most recent outings – the Olympic gold medal match in Paris last year and a quarter-final clash in Melbourne.
Djokovic still holds a 5-4 lead in their career head-to-head, and although he has defied Father Time this year by becoming the oldest man to make the final four of all four grand slams in the same year, it is catching up with him, and there will surely not be many more encounters between the pair to come.
In the night session on Arthur Ashe Stadium, Sinner will face Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime for a spot in the final.
Victory for the Italian would book his place in a fifth straight grand slam final, and treat tennis fans to a third straight Sinner-Alcaraz decider after their Wimbledon and Roland Garros classics.
However, Auger-Aliassime holds a 2-1 career head-to-head advantage over Sinner.
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