Carlos Alcaraz produced a masterclass of power and precision to topple Novak Djokovic in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6, 6-2, securing his spot in the US Open final. The second seed and 2022 champion turned Arthur Ashe Stadium into his stage as he outpaced the 24-time major winner in a match that lived up to its blockbuster billing.
The Spaniard, 16 years Djokovic's junior, doubled his rival's winners tally and never allowed a break-point opportunity in the opening set. After grabbing an early advantage, Alcaraz slammed shut the first set with an unreturnable serve that echoed across New York.
Djokovic, urged on by a star-studded crowd, dug in to claim a break in the second set, pulling level at 4-4. But Alcaraz raised his intensity in game five, converting on a fifth break point after outlasting his opponent in a thrilling 16-shot rally.
The tension peaked in a flawless tiebreak, where Alcaraz rode two unreturnable serves to clinch the set. Djokovic's resilience showed as he survived a break point, but double faults in the third set handed Alcaraz the decisive breaks.
"Once again in the final of the U.S. Open, it feels amazing and it means a lot to me," said Alcaraz. "I had to play a really physical match." Next up for the Spaniard is defending champion Jannik Sinner, setting the stage for a generational showdown.
Alcaraz's youthful energy and clinical execution underline a shifting power dynamic in men's tennis, signaling that the sport's next era is arriving fast.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
