Carlos Alcaraz delivered a dominant performance against Novak Djokovic on Friday, defeating the Serbian legend in straight sets to book his place in the US Open final against world number one and defending champion Jannik Sinner.
The Spanish second seed was in ruthless form, dispatching Djokovic 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 in just two hours and 23 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The win ends Djokovic’s quest for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title and sets up a blockbuster final between two of tennis’ brightest stars.
Sinner followed Alcaraz into Sunday’s final after a hard-fought 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Canadian 25th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.
The showdown marks the third consecutive Grand Slam final featuring Alcaraz and Sinner this year—adding another chapter to their fast-growing rivalry dubbed “Sincaraz.” A capacity crowd of 23,000 is expected, with US President Donald Trump confirmed to be in attendance, adding even more spotlight to the anticipated clash.
Alcaraz and Sinner have traded victories in their previous Grand Slam finals this season. The Spaniard triumphed in an epic five-hour battle at Roland Garros in June, while Sinner got his revenge at Wimbledon in July, lifting the trophy after a clinical performance.
Now, with the US Open title and the world number one ranking on the line, Sunday’s final promises another thrilling encounter.
Alcaraz, now a five-time Grand Slam champion at just 22, has yet to drop a set en route to the final. But despite dismantling Djokovic, he remained grounded.
“Beating Novak is always special. But I don’t feel like I’ve won anything more than a semi-final,” Alcaraz said. “It was an important match, but it’s just a ticket to the final.”
Djokovic, 38, acknowledged that while his game remains at a high level, keeping pace physically with Alcaraz and Sinner is becoming more difficult.
“I’m happy with my level of tennis, but it’s just the physicality of it,” he admitted. “That’s something I can’t control at this stage of my career.”
With Friday’s victory, Sinner becomes only the fourth man in history—after Rod Laver, Roger Federer, and Djokovic—to reach all four Grand Slam finals in a single calendar year. The 23-year-old Italian also won the Australian Open in January and continues to solidify his place among the sport’s elite.
“It’s been an amazing season,” Sinner said. “The Grand Slams are the most important tournaments we have, and I’m happy with the way I’ve played.”
Sunday’s final is also a rematch of their unforgettable five-set quarter-final at the 2022 US Open, which ended at 2:50 a.m.—still the latest finish in tournament history.
“That match is where our rivalry really started,” Sinner reflected. “We’re different players now, more confident. We’ve played each other many times—we know each other well. It’s going to be another special day.”
The final will also feature a rare appearance by a sitting US president. The White House confirmed Friday that President Donald Trump will attend the championship match, continuing his streak of visits to major sporting events, including the Super Bowl and the FIFA Club World Cup final earlier this year.
“Playing in front of him? I’ll try not to think about it,” Alcaraz said with a smile. “It’s great for tennis that the president is attending the final.”
In the women’s doubles final on Friday, Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski and New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe claimed their second US Open title in three years, defeating Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova 6-4, 6-4.
Saturday’s women’s singles final will see defending champion and world number two Aryna Sabalenka take on American eighth seed Amanda Anisimova in a highly anticipated battle.
AFP
