Tennis fans will be treated to a third straight grand slam final between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz as the world’s two highest ranked players advanced to the US Open decider in New York.

In the day session in Arthur Ashe Stadium, Alcaraz gained sweet revenge against Novak Djokovic, downing the 24-time grand slam champion 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 to reach the final at Flushing Meadows for the fifth time in his career.

Sinner found the going tougher under the bright lights of the night session, dropping set and taking a medical timeout as he battled cramp during his 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory against Felix Auger-Aliassime.

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Defending champion reached a fifth straight grand slam final despite his clear discomfort, and the pair will battle it out for not only the US Open crown but also the world No.1 ranking on Monday morning AEST.

Alcaraz’s red-hot form has threatened Sinner’s top ranking, which he has held since last June, and the Spaniard will dethrone the Italian if he can claim a sixth grand slam title at just 22 years of age.

Sinner meanwhile is looking to level Alcaraz with five major titles, and become the first player since Djokovic in 2023 to win three slams in a calendar year.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 05: Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates after defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada in four sets during their Men’s Semifinal match on Day Thirteen of the 2025 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 5, 2025 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Elsa/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by ELSA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)Source: AFP

The 24-year-old is already in elite company, becoming just the fourth players after Rod Laver, Roger Federer and Djokovic to reach all four slam finals in the one year in the open era.

“I feel like our rivalry started here. Playing an amazing match,” Sinner said of Alcaraz.

“We are two different players now. Different confidence too. Let’s see what’s coming.

“We’ve played quite a lot this year. We know each other very well.

“Let’s see who’s preparing in the best possible way. But in any case it has been an amazing tournament again.

“An amazing feeling to come here on more time to play in front of you guys. I’m looking forward to it.”

If their Wimbledon and Roland Garros epics are anything to go by, it promises to be a classic final.

Aside from his semi-final clash with Auger-Aliassime, Sinner breezed through the rounds with minimal discomfort, dropping just two sets along the way.

But Alcaraz has been an unstoppable force in the past fortnight, becoming the first man since Federer ten years ago to reach the final at Flushing Meadows without dropping set.

Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, reacts after defeating Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, during the men’s singles semi-finals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)Source: AP

It was not all smooth sailing, however, as Djokovic took a 3-0 lead in the second after dropping the opening set.

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.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 05: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain (R) greets Novak Djokovic of Serbia (L) following their Men’s Semifinal match on Day Thirteen of the 2025 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 5, 2025 in the Flushing neighbourhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

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.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 05: Novak Djokovic of Serbia acknowledges the crowd as he walks off the court after losing to Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during their Men’s Semifinal match on Day Thirteen of the 2025 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 5, 2025 in the Flushing neighbourhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by AL BELLO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)Source: AFP

“I lost three out of four slams in semis against these guys. They’re just too good,” Djokovic said in his post-match press conference.

“Best of five (sets) makes it very very difficult for me to play them. Particularly at the end stages of Grand Slams.”

He added: “I still wanna play the Grand Slam season next year. Let’s see whether that’s gonna happen or not… but I do fancy my chances more in best of three. One week tournaments. Masters tournaments. That could serve me better in the matchups against them.”