In a masterclass of precision tennis, 20-year-old Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz dethroned 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-6, 6-2 during Friday's electrifying US Open semifinal. The Arthur Ashe Stadium showdown – dubbed New York's hottest ticket – saw roaring crowds witness a generational clash that lasted nearly three hours.
Alcaraz dominated with twice as many winners as his 38-year-old opponent, capitalizing on Djokovic's uncharacteristic errors. The second seed sealed his victory with an unreturnable serve, later telling reporters: "It means a lot to me… I had to play a really physical match."
Despite early breaks and a tense second-set tiebreak where Djokovic rallied crowd support, the Serbian star ultimately succumbed to fatigue. The match concluded with back-to-back double faults from Djokovic, who leaned on the net cord grinning as he congratulated his young rival.
Alcaraz now prepares to defend his 2022 title against Italian Jannik Sinner in Monday's final – a rematch tennis analysts predict could redefine men's tennis rivalries for years to come.
