"Alcaraz dominates Djokovic in straight sets, advances to US Open final"

By the decisive moments of a closely contested second-set tie-break, Novak Djokovic had exhausted every possible tactic to stay in the match. He mixed in serve-and-volley plays, attempted delicate drop shots, and at times tried to take the initiative against his opponent. His efforts to defend desperate points brought the crowd of 23,000 to their feet more than once.

Yet, in this latter phase of his illustrious career, Djokovic simply lacked the sharpness to compete with one of the rising stars who now defines the sport he once dominated. On the opposite side of the court, Carlos Alcaraz maintained his commanding rhythm, remaining composed under pressure to secure his place in the US Open final with a 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-2 win.

There was a time when Alcaraz often spoke of the "rollercoasters" he experienced during matches, combining breathtaking shotmaking with unpredictable lapses that led to drawn-out battles. But by advancing to a Grand Slam final without conceding a single set for the first time, this victory reinforces how much he has matured into a consistent and steady competitor this season.

Currently at the peak of his abilities, Alcaraz has now reached his eighth consecutive final, including three straight major finals this year. At just 22, he is the third-youngest man in the Open Era to appear in seven Grand Slam finals, behind only Björn Borg and Rafael Nadal. He will now face either Jannik Sinner or Félix Auger-Aliassime in the championship match.

For Djokovic, who had not played since Wimbledon prior to this event, simply making it to a fourth major semi-final was a remarkable feat. But his frequent calls for medical attention and visible physical struggles throughout the week highlighted the toll of competing at the highest level in best-of-five matches at 38 years old.

Despite being at opposite stages of their careers, Djokovic and Alcaraz have engaged in closely fought battles in recent years, with the Serbian holding a slight edge in their head-to-head meetings and securing some of his most memorable wins against the young Spaniard. This was their first encounter where Djokovic’s fatigue was evident, and despite his relentless effort, the all-time great could no longer match his opponent’s pace.

Entering the semifinal, Alcaraz had been the standout performer of the tournament, moving efficiently through each round with unshakable focus and no wasted energy.

While Alcaraz was sharp from the start, immediately breaking Djokovic’s serve by applying relentless pressure with deep, precise returns, Djokovic struggled with inconsistency. Brief flashes of brilliance were overshadowed by a string of uncharacteristic errors. At 1-2 on Alcaraz’s serve, for instance, Djokovic produced a stunning backhand down-the-line winner to bring the game back to deuce—only to follow it with two costly mistakes.