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We\u2019ll be back with coverage of Sinner v Auger-Aliassime, but it\u2019s time for me to sign off. Many thanks for your company, as always; see you again for the women\u2019s final tomorrow. Bye!<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.31 EDT<\/p>\n But back to the victor. This is the eighth consecutive tournament this year in which Alcaraz has reached the final. He\u2019s a win away from his second US Open title and slam No6, and will regain the world No 1 ranking next week. He\u2019s the first man since Roger Federer in 2015 to reach the US Open final without dropping a set \u2026 and no male player has ever won this tournament without losing a set. But with Sinner most likely in the final, that particular feat could prove even beyond him. If Sinner beats Felix Auger-Aliassime in the second semi, which is coming up in about an hour, we\u2019ve got ourselves a third consecutive slam final between the game\u2019s top two. Yes please.<\/p>\n Carlos Alcaraz takes a celebratory selfie with fans. Photograph: Seth Wenig\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.35 EDT<\/p>\n In truth, Djokovic didn\u2019t serve nearly as well as he needed to. Perhaps the pain he was feeling in his neck\/shoulder played a part. He couldn\u2019t get much of a look on Alcaraz\u2019s first serve either. And despite pushing Alcaraz close in the second set, once that slipped by, Djokovic faded fast. As has been the case for fourth time this year, the semi-finals of a slam have proved a step too far. It\u2019s still remarkable consistency \u2013 but does he have the energy to come back for more? He can beat most players even at the age of 38, but how much longer can he face putting himself through it against Alcaraz and Sinner?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.25 EDT<\/p>\n \u201cIt stinks. I went through it,\u201d says Martina Navratilova of time catching up with Djokovic. \u201cYou play the right point, the right shot, but you miss it when you could have made it with your eyes closed 10 years ago. The effort is still there but the result is not.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n A beaming Alcaraz says \u201cit\u2019s a great feeling\u201d to be back in the final, after winning the title in 2022. \u201cIt feels amazing, it means a lot to me. Not the best level of the tournament for me but I served well which was important. I tried to play a physical match and I think I did it.\u201d He\u2019s then asked about playing Sergio Garcia at golf yesterday, but the microphone fails. But I think he says something about winning $400. Everything is going Carlitos\u2019 way.<\/p>\n Carlos Alcaraz was pleased with his service game today. Photograph: Elsa\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.14 EDT<\/p>\n Alcaraz beats Djokovic 6-4, 7-6, 6-2!<\/p>\n Djokovic, serving to stay in the match, slides 15-30 down. And there\u2019s another weary double fault. He\u2019s gassed. Two match points. And, somewhat predictably, Alcaraz needs only one to book his place in Sunday\u2019s final. The pair share a nice exchange at the net; Djokovic is smiling as if he\u2019s won. He can only admire Alcaraz\u2019s alchemy. Alcaraz is now doing his golf swing celebration. And Djokovic makes a heart shape with his hands as he leave the court. Will we see him in New York again? Perhaps he\u2019ll give it one more year; perhaps even he doesn\u2019t know yet. But one thing is for sure: getting that elusive No25 is only going to get harder as every slam goes by, especially when Alcaraz and Sinner are ahead of him.<\/p>\n Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after match point. Photograph: Seth Wenig\/APNovak Djokovic congratulates Alcaraz on his victory. Photograph: Seth Wenig\/APThen shows the crowd some love. Photograph: Seth Wenig\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.02 EDT<\/p>\n Third set: Djokovic* 4-6, 6-7, 2-5 Alcaraz (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n Third set: Djokovic 4-6, 6-7, 2-4 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n Third set: Djokovic* 4-6, 6-7, 1-4 Alcaraz (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n Alcaraz breaks: Djokovic 4-6, 6-7, 1-3 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n Third set: Djokovic* 4-6, 6-7, 1-2 Alcaraz (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n Third set: Djokovic 4-6, 6-7, 1-1 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server) Novak Djokovic\u2019s trainer does his thang. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.35 EDT<\/p>\n Alcaraz wins the second-set tie-break 7-4<\/p>\n \u2026 but Alcaraz is a man for the biggest moments too, and wins a huge baseline rally to grab another mini-break and lead 5-4 \u2026 and Alcaraz will get two points on his racket to serve this out. A stinging, snarling 131mph serve down the T brings up two set points. And Djokovic then knocks himself out with an errant return! Djokovic threw everything at Alcaraz in that set but still came up short. And how does the 38-year-old now come back from two sets to love down against an opponent 16 years his junior? I think for a man even of Djokovic\u2019s superhuman levels of mental resilience it\u2019s a task too far.<\/p>\n Another set won, another celebratory fist pump. Photograph: Seth Wenig\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.32 EDT<\/p>\n \u2026 which means five of the six points have gone against serve. Djokovic showed great resilience in his quarter-final against Fritz, saving the best for the clutch moments, and he does so again here, chasing down the drop and sending a vicious angled forehand past an ailing and flailing Alcaraz! At 4-3 they\u2019re back on serve \u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Alcaraz\u2019s return is too hot for Djokovic to handle on the opening point. So an early mini-break. Which is soon 2-0. The crowd don\u2019t know what to do with themselves when Djokovic drop shots, then lobs and Alcaraz\u2019s overhead goes into the net. A grinning Djokovic urges the crowd to keep applauding, but they\u2019re then applauding Alcaraz when he moves 3-1 ahead. The turn coats. Djokovic, perhaps emboldened by that drop shot at 2-0, tries to repeat the trick, but it\u2019s a tame effort. 4-1 Alcaraz, make that 4-2 at the change of ends \u2026<\/p>\n The crowd cheers Novak Djokovic. Photograph: Sarah Yenesel\/EPAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.47 EDT<\/p>\n Second set: Djokovic* 4-6, 6-6 Alcaraz (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n Second set: Djokovic* 4-6, 5-5 Alcaraz (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.55 EDT<\/p>\n Second set: Djokovic 4-6, 5-4 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server) No doubt Djokovic\u2019s shoes rated high on the squeaker scale to reach this shot. Photograph: Brian Hirschfeld\/EPAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.06 EDT<\/p>\n Second set: Djokovic* 4-6, 4-4 Alcaraz (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n Second set: Djokovic 4-6, 4-3 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server) Share<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n Second set: Djokovic* 4-6, 3-3 Alcaraz (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n Alcaraz breaks back: Djokovic 4-6, 3-2 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server) Carlos Alcaraz plays a backhand return to Novak Djokovic form the baseline. Photograph: Mike Segar\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.50 EDT<\/p>\n Second set: Djokovic* 4-6, 3-1 Alcaraz (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n Djokovic breaks: Djokovic* 4-6, 2-0 Alcaraz (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n Second set: Djokovic 4-6, 1-0 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server) Share<\/a>Alcaraz wins the first set 6-4<\/p>\n At 15-0, possibly the point of the semi-final as Alcaraz, at the net, drop shots, Djokovic darts forward like a 22-year-old to lob, Alcaraz scrambles back to retrieve, gets it back, but then gets caught out on his next shot. 15-all develops into 30-all. Alcaraz is two points from the set \u2013 Djokovic is two points from his first break. The umpire has to tell the crowd to calm down. Not that Djokovic looks at all calm when he nets the return. Alcaraz has his first set point \u2026 and Djokovic nets the return once more! After 48 minutes Alcaraz takes the first set \u2013 a set, you have to say, was probably more important for the 38-year-old Djokovic to win. But all is not lost: Djokovic did come from a set down to beat Alcaraz in this year\u2019s Australian Open quarter-final. And that was on only one leg.<\/p>\n Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after winning the first set. Photograph: Seth Wenig\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.19 EDT<\/p>\n First set: Djokovic 4-5 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server) Novak Djokovic eyes a backhand return. Photograph: Frank Franklin\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.21 EDT<\/p>\n First set: Djokovic* 3-5 Alcaraz (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n First set: Djokovic 3-4 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n First set: Djokovic* 2-4 Alcaraz (*denotes next server) Carlos Alcaraz stretches to reach a shot. Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.22 EDT<\/p>\n First set: Djokovic 2-3 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.49 EDT<\/p>\n And look who\u2019s watching.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n First set: Djokovic* 1-3 Alcaraz (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.50 EDT<\/p>\n First set: Djokovic 1-2 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server) Novak Djokovic fires off a forehand. Photograph: Eduardo Mu\u00f1oz\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.39 EDT<\/p>\n First set: Djokovic* 0-2 Alcaraz (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n Alcaraz breaks: Djokovic 0-1 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server) Carlos Alcaraz eyes a forehand return. Photograph: Eduardo Mu\u00f1oz\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.40 EDT<\/p>\n Djokovic arrives on Arthur Ashe first. There\u2019s barely a spare seat in the near-24,000-capacity house, the biggest stadium in tennis. Alcaraz follows, somewhat predictably getting the greater applause, and he also wins the coin toss too. So he\u2019s already 2-0 up in a way. But there\u2019s no sight of the biggest smile in tennis; he\u2019s got his gameface on. Martina then finally offers her prediction, and is also backing Alcaraz in four.<\/p>\n Carlos Alcaraz (left) and Novak Djokovic pose ahead of their US Open semi-final. Photograph: Eduardo Mu\u00f1oz\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.31 EDT<\/p>\n Here\u2019s Novak. He\u2019s asked before stepping on to court how his body is feeling. \u201cIt\u2019s feeling alright, let\u2019s see. I\u2019m expecting a very physical battle. I look forward to it, the challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n And then it\u2019s Carlos. \u201cTo be honest in the grand slams having two days to rest [before this semi-final], to feel fresh, is great. I recharged the battery physically and mentally. I\u2019ve been really consistent this tournament [on serve], which I\u2019m really happy about. But now I\u2019m facing one of the best returners, it\u2019s going to be tricky.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Martina is, however, talking tactics. I think the key for Djokovic will be how well he serves. He\u2019s become increasingly reliant on his serve to reduce the length of points, which is almost the opposite of prime Djokovic, who knew he could out-rally anyone. At the Australian Open this year, when Djokovic was struggling with his leg problem in their quarter-final, he was forced to play first-strike tennis to win and, although it goes against his instincts, a similar approach today probably represents his best chance of victory.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Tim Henman is going for an Alcaraz win in four sets, as is former NFL player Jason Bell, who\u2019s a guest in the Sky studio. I\u2019m not going to argue with that; I\u2019m predicting Alcaraz in four too. \u201cDjokovic can keep it close, but that speed of movement and firepower from the back of the court and extra sparkling of stardust that Alcaraz has will get him over the line,\u201d Henman says. Poor Martina hasn\u2019t yet been asked for her prediction. Good to see she\u2019s back on Sky after this<\/a>. Awkward.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cAlcaraz should be the clear favourite against Djokovic – he\u2019s young, in his athletic prime and is riding a wave of absurd consistency,\u201d emails an excited Gavriella Epstein-Lightma. \u201cHe\u2019s reached the finals in each of his last seven tournaments. Alcaraz\u2019s last defeat that did not fall in a final was in Miami against … David Goffin.<\/p>\n \u201cYet the one thing that should give Djokovic a tiny glimmer of hope is the curious reality that Alcaraz sometimes falters against Djokovic. Whereas Sinner now dispatches Djokovic with ruthless efficiency (as seen in how he is 6-0 in sets at grand slams against Djokovic this year), Alcaraz has more to prove. What a tantalising prospect this match is.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Do remember: this is where you can get in touch<\/a> with any predictions or predilections. It\u2019s always good to hear from you.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n There Alcaraz is, backstage, headphones on, flexing his muscles, doing a bit of dancing and sucking on what appears to be an energy gel. \u201cI\u2019ll have whatever he\u2019s having,\u201d quips Martina Navratilova on Sky Sports. He looks so relaxed as always.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n In the girls\u2019 singles, the defending champion Mika Stojsavljevic and Hannah Klugman have been unable to set up an all-British final. Stojsavljevic has just lost in three sets, after Klugman\u2019s straight-sets defeat earlier. In the quad singles, Andy Lapthorne went out in the last four, while in the wheelchair men\u2019s singles, Alfie Hewett has just been edged out 7-5 in a third set by Argentina\u2019s Gustavo Fernandez. Hewett will have the chance to get his revenge against Fernandez later in the final of the men\u2019s doubles.<\/p>\n Lea Nilsson fires off a forehand in her victory over Mika Stojsavljevic. Photograph: Clive Brunskill\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.16 EDT<\/p>\n There have been plenty of matches already today. Taylor Townsend\u2019s eventful US Open \u2013 including unwittingly getting involved in that row with Jelena Ostapenko and then her last-16 exit in the singles after holding eight match points against Barbora Krejcikova \u2013 has ended with defeat in the women\u2019s doubles final. The American, along with her Czech partner Katerina Siniakova, who were the top seeds, lost 6-4, 6-4 to Canada\u2019s Gabriela Dabrowski and New Zealand\u2019s Erin Routliffe. For Dabrowski and Routliffe, it\u2019s their second US Open doubles title in three years.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Here\u2019s Tumaini\u2019s preview too:<\/p>\n Carlos Alcaraz took his final leave from Rod Laver Arena this year consumed by frustration. Losing at the Australian Open, the first grand slam tournament of the year, was painful enough, but Alcaraz\u2019s disappointment was particularly down to how he had lost.<\/p>\n Novak Djokovic had visibly begun to struggle with a leg injury early in their four-set quarter-final<\/a>, but instead of focusing on his own game, Alcaraz found himself staring across the net and thinking too much about his opponent\u2019s condition rather than about what he needed to win. While the Spaniard\u2019s focus wavered, Djokovic\u2019s difficulties inspired his most offensive, decisive tennis, and he willed himself to a miraculous victory.<\/p>\n That meeting was the last encounter in what has become one of the most unusual rivalries the sport has seen. At 38 and 22 respectively, Djokovic and Alcaraz were born 16 years apart. Their first meeting at the Madrid Open in May 2022, won by Alcaraz, occurred two days after his 19th birthday and two weeks before Djokovic turned 35. Considering that significant age gap, just one match between them would have been a fortunate outcome.<\/p>\n Instead, when they enter Arthur Ashe Stadium for their semi-final match on Friday, they will have met on every single major stage in professional tennis: Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open, the Olympic Games and ATP Finals. Djokovic leads their head-to-head 5-3 and those meetings have included some of the most memorable matches in the sport, from Alcaraz\u2019s recovery to win his first Wimbledon title in 2023<\/a> to Djokovic\u2019s career\u2011completing Olympic gold medal<\/a> triumph last year.<\/p>\n The contrasting dynamics of their careers have always been at the forefront of this match, with the Serb desperately fighting to maintain his high level despite his advancing age while Alcaraz attempts to mature and grow as he moves closer to his physical peak.<\/p>\n This tournament has underscored both of those challenges. After spending his early years succeeding despite his wavering focus and impulsive shot selection, Alcaraz has never been more consistent. The 22\u2011year\u2011old is seeking to reach an eighth consecutive final and a third major final in a row. The confidence he has gained from an immense summer has afforded him his first run to a grand slam semi-final without dropping a set. Alongside his improved concentration and clarity of thought on each point, the development of Alcaraz\u2019s serve into an increasingly consistent weapon has been invaluable.<\/p>\n You can read the rest here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Preamble<\/p>\n I wonder what Novak Djokovic<\/a> thinks when he looks at Carlos Alcaraz and sees a smiling assassin who stopped him from winning that elusive 25th grand slam title in last year\u2019s Wimbledon final, has already accumulated more majors than he had at the age of 22, is loved and adored in a way Djokovic never has been and has emphatically made sure \u2013 along with Jannik Sinner \u2013 that the Serb is no longer the main man in tennis.<\/p>\n You wouldn\u2019t blame Djokovic if he hated the sight of the Spaniard (though with Carlos that\u2019s hard) or at least felt some envy towards today\u2019s semi-final opponent, who serves as a reminder of the time the 38-year-old doesn\u2019t have left in tennis and the one remaining piece of history he still hasn\u2019t claimed.<\/p>\n But there\u2019s a sense that Djokovic may slowly be making peace with his borrowed time. He said before this tournament he doesn\u2019t really want to be missing out on family events any more for tennis. Beyond the grand slams, his desire to continue playing has waned this year. Could this even be his last US Open? If he claimed undisputed GOAT-ness by winning the title, you feel it may be.<\/p>\n What does seem certain, however, is that, barring an Alcaraz injury, Djokovic will not only have to play a near-perfect match but also hope his body holds up \u2013 which it hasn\u2019t always done at the business end of slams over the past two years \u2013 if he\u2019s to win today. Yes, he beat Alcaraz in last year\u2019s Olympic final, but that was over the best of three sets, and yes, he also won their Australian Open quarter-final in January. But the Alcaraz in Melbourne was a shadow of the New York version of Alcaraz, who\u2019s combined a new laser-like focus with his already supreme shotmaking to reach the last four of a slam without dropping a set for the first time.<\/p>\n Alcaraz has been locked-in from the start and is now loaded for a likely third consecutive major final against Sinner (Bryan will be here later to take you through Sinner v Felix Auger-Aliassime). It\u2019s now up to Djokovic to see if he can defy not only tennis\u2019s duopoly, but also age, the odds and any sense of logic.<\/p>\n The players will arrive at: 3pm New York time\/8pm BST.<\/p>\n While you wait: here are the highlights from that 2024 Olympic final<\/a> and also their five-set arm wrestle in the 2023 Wimbledon final<\/a>. Take your pick.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
It looks as if everything is hurting for Djokovic now \u2013 including probably his pride \u2013 but he manages some laughter as he crashes into a few photographers on his way to falling 30-0 down. And the game goes from bad to worse as he is shut out to love.<\/p>\n
Alcaraz has Djokovic on a piece of string as he draws Djokovic forward and then lifts the lob over his soon-to-be vanquished opponent. Even Djokovic is applauding. But he somehow hauls himself through the game to 30. The physio is poised, ready to come on at any moment, but Djokovic resists the urge to call them on.<\/p>\n
Alcaraz decides to get in on the act with a double fault of his own. But that\u2019s the only blot in the serving book for Alcaraz, who holds to 15 to back up the break, with Djokovic now barely moving between \u2013 or even during \u2013 points. His day appears to be nearly done \u2013 it\u2019s just a matter of whether Alcaraz finishes this off in two games or whether Djokovic can mount a final flourish.<\/p>\n
Now Alcaraz is 15-30 on Djokovic\u2019s serve, and Djokovic dumps a tired 80mph second serve into the net. 15-40 \u2026 and despite Alcaraz\u2019s audacious attempt at an improvised single-handed backhand, Djokovic holds on. But Djokovic surrenders the second break point \u2013 and most likely the match \u2013 with another double. He looks spent.<\/p>\n
Whatever happens from here, it\u2019s worth noting Djokovic\u2019s achievement in becoming the oldest man in the open era to reach the semi-finals of all four grand slams in a calendar year. But he struggled in those last-four matches \u2013 retiring injured against Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open and losing in straight sets to Sinner at the French Open and Wimbledon \u2013 and he\u2019s on course for another straight-sets defeat here. What do you do when you\u2019re so close to that elusive slam No25 but yet so far? Does he still have the motivation to make all the sacrifices necessary to continue putting himself out there? In more immediate matters, Alcaraz settles a hold to 30 with an ace.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s hard not to feel for Djokovic in this purgatory,\u201d writes Sports Illustrated\u2019s Jon Wertheim on social media, and it\u2019s hard not to agree. \u201cHe\u2019s legit the third-best player in the world – still too good to walk away\u2026 But the two guys ahead of him are just too young\/physical\/tough\u2026 what\u2019s the 38-year-old unrivalled champion to do?\u201d Well, he does call for the trainer between sets for a quick MOT, but doesn\u2019t opt for a timeout. When they resume Alcaraz holds to 15. And Djokovic holds to 30. His resistance may well prove to be futile from here on in, but he\u2019s not going down quietly.<\/p>\n
Djokovic puffs out his cheeks after a quicker-than-quick love hold. Laura Robson notes on commentary that Djokovic has stepped up the court about 15% on average in this set, taking some of Alcaraz\u2019s time away. But it\u2019s Alcaraz who wants to get on with it, as he steps up to serve a good 15 or so seconds before Djokovic gets out of his chair. And the game doesn\u2019t last too much longer than that either, as Alcaraz whistles through to 15. So after two speedy holds, we\u2019ve got ourselves a tie-break. Which stirs memories of last year\u2019s Olympic final, when Djokovic won in two superb tie-break sets.<\/p>\n
All of Alcaraz\u2019s victories have come in straight sets this fortnight, but he\u2019s serving to stay in this set. \u201cGreat reset from Carlos to level the second set but I\u2019ve not seen Novak this assertive since winning gold at the Olympics. He\u2019s hell for leather throttle,\u201d emails Lisa Gershon. I think that\u2019s what the motivation of history will do for you. Djokovic knows, as each slam goes by, his chances of No25 get smaller. He\u2019ll leave nothing out there. But he can\u2019t prevent Alcaraz from holding to 15 here.<\/p>\n
A very squeaky-shoed rally at 0-30 \u2013 why is it that Djokovic\u2019s shoes always sound squeakier than anyone else\u2019s? \u2013 but anyway, I digress. Djokovic eventually emerges victorious to prevent three break points. Instead it\u2019s 15-30, 30-all and then 40-30, when Alcaraz does all the heavy lifting, pinning Djokovic deep to the forehand side before attempting a drop shot to Djokovic\u2019s left, but he nets! Alcaraz, usually so calm, goes all sweary. At one hour and 29 minutes, this is already Alcaraz\u2019s longest match of the tournament so far.<\/p>\n
Alcaraz sees Djokovic\u2019s love hold and looks as if he\u2019s going to raise it with one of even higher quality, when a scooped backhand cross-court pass gets him to 40-0. But he then clobbers long not once but twice. 40-30. The Spaniard steadies himself with a winning volley as Stefan Edberg looks on. One of the greatest volleyers the game has seen will have been impressed with that, even if he does look somewhat impassive. Neither of the players on court are, though; they know they\u2019re getting to the business end of this set.<\/p>\n
Djokovic does, at least, check Alcaraz\u2019s momentum with a hold to love. Back to you Carlos \u2026<\/p>\n
After Alcaraz\u2019s hot shot in that previous game, it\u2019s a case of hot shots part deux as Alcaraz pulls off one of his trademark sliced deep forehand winners to secure the hold to 15. He\u2019s skipping back to his chair; Djokovic has the look of a man who\u2019s trying to survive the storm.<\/p>\n
A rueful shake of the head from Djokovic as he slips 15-30 behind after a missed volley. A timely first serve gets him out of trouble. A lung-busting exchange on the next point, and after a draining duel at the baseline, Djokovic decides to take matters into his own hands by coming to the net, but with a flick of that magic wrist Alcaraz fizzes a forehand winner past the stranded Serb for 30-40! Wow. That\u2019ll make the highlights reel. Djokovic can\u2019t make his first serve on the break-back point. Can Alcaraz punish the second? No, but he gets the return back, and a few shots later Djokovic blinks on his backhand! There have been too many errors on that side today. They\u2019re back on serve.<\/p>\n
15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game. What a way to back up the break. Djokovic leads 3-0. And that\u2019s from 0-30 down in the opening game of this set. The crowd are screaming once more. I\u2019m not sure Alcaraz has been on the receiving end of this too many times in his career. But the spectators want a match. And they\u2019ve got one. And Alcaraz then blocks out the noise to hold to 15.<\/p>\n
Djokovic takes the opening point. That\u2019s five points on the spin. He\u2019s hitting with such depth and consistency right now. And 0-15 eventually turns into 30-40. The first break point for Djokovic this match. He\u2019s skipping around on the baseline with relentless energy as he waits to receive \u2013 who\u2019d know he was the 38-year-old \u2013 and then he\u2019s moving all over the shop on the break point, as is Alcaraz, who gets the lob back but then hits long! Djokovic roars from the depth of his being. As do many in the crowd. Game. On.<\/p>\n
A colossal Alcaraz forehand to take the breath away gives Djokovic no chance at the net. It\u2019s 0-30. This is where Alcaraz broke in the first set \u2026 can he repeat the trick here? No, because he lets Djokovic back in for 40-30, and with both players hitting so deep and true, Djokovic hammers a forehand down the line to settle matters!<\/p>\n
Alcaraz is scratching his head when he misses the chance to go 0-30 up. So instead it\u2019s 15-all. A tame slice (or maybe it was even an attempted drop shot) from Alcaraz then ends up in the net \u2013 his forehand has been on fire so far, with more power than in any other match he\u2019s played this tournament, but his touch has let him down a little, especially on the drop shot, which is usually one of his most trusty shots. Anyhow, Djokovic holds to 15. Alcaraz will serve for the set.<\/p>\n
The atmosphere has dropped a bit after a few drama-free games. This one is the most drama-free of the lot: 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game. The first love hold of the match. Time is running out for Djokovic to break. And Djokovic also knows he must now hold serve to stay in the set.<\/p>\n
A swirling circle of doom on my computer. Gah. It lasts for most of this game. But I can tell you that from 30-all a winning forehand from Djokovic combined with a forehand forced error from Alcaraz settle it.<\/p>\n
Certainly not in this game. He does win the second point, despite a 114mph second serve from Alcaraz, but that\u2019s as good as it gets. Alcaraz then powers away a forehand, punishing Djokovic for not quite hitting with enough depth, and smacks another forehand winner for 40-15, before sealing his third hold.<\/p>\n
Another blistering backhand down the line gets Djokovic out of a little hole at 15-30. A second ace (to Alcaraz\u2019s zero) makes it 40-30. And Alcaraz concedes the game with another drop-shot error. That\u2019s Djokovic\u2019s most comfortable hold so far. But can he find a way to break back?<\/p>\n
It\u2019s hot and muggy today, the warmest day of the tournament so far, at about 27 degrees. Which is likely to help Alcaraz\u2019s power and spin. Djokovic is already clutching his neck and shoulder as Alcaraz advances to 30-0, such is the workout he\u2019s already endured in three and a half games, and he hangs his head as it becomes 40-0. Alcaraz then attempts to cut Djokovic in half with a body serve, but Djokovic reacts quickly to get it back and Alcaraz miscues. Before double faulting. And uncharacteristically underhitting his drop shot! From 40-0 it\u2019s deuce. Djokovic nets with a poor slice \u2026 before getting the crowd on their feet with an open-stance 92mph backhand winner down the line!! He was so far beyond the baseline he was almost downtown. But he misses two cheap shots and Alcaraz maintains the break. Absorbing stuff.<\/p>\n
Djokovic opted not to practise on Wednesday and yesterday, to rest his 38-year-old body after his quarter-final against Taylor Fritz, and despite having a decent practice earlier, he\u2019s been caught cold so far. Djokovic looks to finally be finding his feet at 30-0, but Alcaraz comes back for 30-all, jumping on a weak second serve. Alcaraz has Djokovic sprinting and sliding and doing the splits on the next point, Djokovic attempts the pass, but it doesn\u2019t land in. Alcaraz is smiling, Djokovic is grimacing, because here\u2019s a point for a double break. This time Djokovic is able to repel the Spaniard, taking the next three points for his first hold. He\u2019s on the board. But it\u2019s taken 16 testing minutes.<\/p>\n
Alcaraz, again wearing his pink sleeveless top\/purple short combo, looking more like he\u2019s ready for the beach than a date with one of the game\u2019s greats, swiftly moves to 30-0. And then 40-15, with a 128mph serve out wide. Alcaraz errs on his backhand for 40-30, but an untidy forehand from Djokovic also ends up in the net. Having taken that virtual 2-0 lead before this semi-final started, that scoreline has now become a reality.<\/p>\n
So Djokovic is serving first. He starts as he means to go on, winning the opening point when Alcaraz flashes a forehand wide. And, it has to be said, there\u2019s a larger than expected cheer when Djokovic takes it. Djokovic drops the next two points by netting on both, then it\u2019s Alcaraz\u2019s turn to get in on the net-bashing act. 30-all. Djokovic hits a weak backhand into the net and already here\u2019s the first break point of the semi-final. Alcaraz looks for all the world as if he\u2019s going to win it, doing all the hard work and big hitting, but moves forward to round things off \u2026 and makes a mess of the volley! Deuce turns into advantage Djokovic, then deuce, then advantage Alcaraz. And Alcaraz breaks when Djokovic balloons long! As if Djokovic didn\u2019t already know how tough this match was going to be, he does now.<\/p>\n