— Carlos Alcaraz used youthful speed and inventive shotmaking to defeat Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-2 in the U.S. Open semifinal at Arthur Ashe Stadium, earning a place in his third consecutive Grand Slam final.
Key Takeaways
- Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-2 on Sept. 5, 2025, at the U.S. Open.
- Alcaraz advances to his third straight major final and seeks a sixth career Grand Slam title.
- Novak Djokovic, 38, was aiming for a record 25th major but fell short; both players finished with 30 unforced errors.
- Alcaraz will face either defending champion Jannik Sinner or Felix Auger-Aliassime in the final on Sunday, when President Donald Trump is reported to plan to attend.
- Djokovic said the match left him ‘gassed out’ and noted the physical toll of facing younger opponents in best-of-five matches.
Verified Facts
Alcaraz, 22, set the tone with steady serving and athletic defense, pressing Djokovic across the court and converting key opportunities to close the first set 6-4. In the second set Djokovic broke early to lead 3-0, but Alcaraz immediately responded, winning the next three games and forcing a tiebreak that he captured 7-4.
The Spanish player produced several eye-catching winners, including a scooped cross-court forehand passing shot that drew applause from Djokovic and the crowd. Alcaraz never again faced a break point after his second-set recovery. Both competitors finished the match with 30 unforced errors each.
Djokovic, who entered the match with 24 major titles, said postmatch that fatigue limited his movement and level. He reached the semifinals at all four Slams this season but exited at that stage each time, three times at the hands of either Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner.
Alcaraz is chasing his sixth major and his second U.S. Open title. He beat Sinner at the French Open in June and lost to Sinner at Wimbledon in July, underlining the recent cluster of young contenders taking the sport’s biggest trophies.
Context & Impact
The match highlighted a generational shift at the top of men’s tennis: Alcaraz and Sinner, both in their early 20s, have combined for multiple recent majors, while Djokovic—still elite—has faced increasing physical strain in best-of-five contests against younger rivals.
The result preserves Alcaraz’s momentum heading into the final and keeps the recent trend of rotating champions intact; Alcaraz and Sinner have shared the last several major titles, with Djokovic taking three of the recent Slams, including the 2023 U.S. Open.
For Djokovic, the semifinal pattern this season raises questions about scheduling and recovery. He signaled he wants to attempt a full Grand Slam season next year but suggested best-of-three events might suit him better physically; how he adjusts could affect the calendar and his tournament choices.
Official Statements
“I was gassed out,”
Novak Djokovic
“I just kept a cool level from the beginning until the last point,”
Carlos Alcaraz
Unconfirmed
- Reports indicate President Donald Trump plans to attend the final on Sunday; those plans have been reported but not officially confirmed by event organizers within this article.
- Djokovic’s future schedule and whether he will alter his Slam participation next season remain statements of intent rather than confirmed plans.
Bottom Line
Alcaraz’s victory over Djokovic underscores his status as one of men’s tennis’s leading figures and sets up a high-stakes U.S. Open final that continues the recent pattern of young champions. Djokovic remains a dominant presence historically, but the match illustrated the growing challenge of sustaining peak form over five-set Grand Slam matches against younger opponents.