US Open 2025 – Men's semi-finals preview

Novak Djokovic (No.7) vs Carlos Alcaraz (No.2)

💪 The context / The current form 

This has already developed into a sensational rivalry. Masters 1000s, Grand Slams, Olympics, they have collided with fireworks on every occasion.

Carlos Alcaraz is on course for a No.1 versus No.2 final facing perennial rival Jannik Sinner. Not if Novak Djokovic has his say.

The 38-year-old continues to defy his age (38) and compete in the latter stages of majors. His record 25th Grand Slam title still remains in reach this fortnight, the all-conquering will give everything and more to reach the trophy showdown on Sunday.

🏆 Their 2025 tournament

He’s been pushed, he’s been backed into a corner of several occasions, but just like the past 20 years on tour, Djokovic has unlocked the answers.

The former world No.1 has dazzled in certain periods, reminding his younger peers of his all-court brilliance, not that they need reminding.

The Fritz battle was a huge effort physically and mentally. Will he have enough in the tank for Alcaraz?

• 1st round: victory against Learner Tien (6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2 ; 2hrs 25mins)

• 2nd round: victory against Zachary Svajda (6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 ; 2hrs 31mins)

• 3rd round: victory against Cameron Norrie (6-4, 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-3 ; 2hrs 50 mins)

• Round of 16: victory against Jan-Lennard Struff (6-3, 6-3, 6-2 ; 1hr 49mins)

• Quarter-finals: victory against Taylor Fritz (6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 ; 3hrs 24mins)

At every twist, turn, sprint and flick of the wrist, the Spaniard has delivered the showstopping performances in NYC. When opponents have sensed their chance, Alcaraz has shut them out with a catalogue of remarkable human highlight reel exploits.

Of course, it was all done with a smile.

• 1st round: victory against Reilly Opelka (6-4, 7-5, 6-4 ; 2hrs 5mins)

• 2nd round: victory against Mattia Bellucci (6-1, 6-0, 6-3 ; 1hr 36mins)

• 3rd round: victory against Luciano Darderi (6-2, 6-4, 6-0 ; 1hr 44mins)

• Round of 16: victory against Arthur Rinderknech (7-6(3), 6-3, 6-4 ; 2hrs 12mins)

• Quarter-finals: victory against Jiri Lehecka (6-4, 6-2, 6-4 ; 1hr 56mins)

🆚 Face-to-face

Djokovic owns the favourable record at 5-3 as these Hall of Fame stars meet for battle IX. If the previous eight are anything to go by, then we are in for some treat. Get that popcorn ready...

The 24-time major winner holds an edge having inflicted two painful defeats on Alcaraz in their most recent tussles. First up a straight sets passage to Paris 2024 Olympic gold and then a four-set rumble in the Australian Open 2025 quarter-finals.

Is revenge on the cards for Carlos?

🎤 Heard in media

Novak Djokovic: “Everybody is probably expecting and anticipating the finals between two of them. I'm going to try to mess up the plans of most of the people. They are playing definitely the best tennis of any player here. They have been dominant force since the beginning of the tournament,” said the Serbian regarding Sinner and Alcaraz.

“But I definitely am not going with a white flag on the court. I put myself in another semifinals of a Grand Slam this year. I have been very consistent, most consistent on slams this season, and that's what I said at the beginning of the year, where I would like to perform my best tennis and make the best results.

“Here we are. I have another chance, another shot. Hopefully, I can be fit enough and play well enough to keep up with Carlos. Then it can be anybody's match.”

Carlos Alcaraz: “Novak, we all know Novak's game. It doesn't matter that he has been out of the tour since Wimbledon. Playing great matches here. I know he's hungry. I know his ambition for more, so let's see.

“I know I played a lot of times against him. I really want to revenge. That's obvious.”

Jannik Sinner (No.1) vs Felix Auger-Aliassime (No.25)

💪 The context / The current form 

Five have tried and five had failed, Jannik Sinner seems so dialled in on adding a fifth Grand Slam to his resumé.

The Wimbledon champion just two months ago, the world No.1 is going to take some stopping in New York City. 

What can the resurgent Felix Auger-Aliassime serve up? The amiable Canadian was last in a major semi-final at the 2021 US Open. Four years of trophies, injuries, doubts, setbacks have been boxed away by a sublime showing this fortnight.

The world No.27 has navigated past three Top 15 talents in a row in the shape of Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev and Alex de Minaur. It’s a massive understatement, Sinner is a significant step up on Friday night under the lights.

🏆 Their 2025 tournament

Prior to his Arthur Ashe Stadium clash with the world No.1, Alexander Bublik described the Italian as an ‘AI’ tennis player. Sinner has hit artificial intelligence tennis in the past two rounds to crush the hopefuls.

Even when the top seed was far from top form against Denis Shapovalov, he dug in, found his patterns and dissolved the resolve of the Canadian. 

• 1st round: victory against Vit Kopriva (6-1, 6-1, 6-2 ; 1hr 38mins)

• 2nd round: victory against Alexei Popyrin (6-3, 6-2, 6-2 ; 2hrs 1min)

• 3rd round: victory against Denis Shapovalov (5-7, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 ; 3hrs 12 mins)

• Round of 16: victory against Alexander Bublik (6-1, 6-1, 6-1 ; 1hr 21mins)

• Quarter-finals: victory against Lorenzo Musetti (6-1, 6-4, 6-2 ; 2hrs)

Just take a look at FAA’s road to the final four below. The former world No.6 has more than deserved his shot at a maiden Grand Slam final.

Even when it’s got tight, the tension in the stadiums has been palpable, Auger-Aliassime has struck with conviction to take down some serious competitors.

The marathon victory over No.8 seed Alex de Minaur portrayed his hunger and drive to succeed at the very top table.

• 1st round: victory against Billy Harris (6-4, 7-6(8), 6-4 ; 2hrs 55mins)

• 2nd round: victory against Roman Safiullin (6-1, 7-6(4), 7-6(5) ; 2hrs 55mins)

• 3rd round: victory against Alexander Zverev (4-6, 7-6(7), 6-4, 6-4 ; 3hrs 48mins)

• Round of 16: victory against Andrey Rublev (7-5, 6-3, 6-4 ; 2hrs 16mins)

• Quarter-finals: victory against Alex de Minaur (4-6, 7-6(7), 7-5, 7-6(4) ; 4hrs 10mins)

🆚 Face-to-face

On paper Auger-Aliassime holds a 2-1 record over the world No.1. However, both of those wins were in 2022. Sinner is a slightly different prospect since then. 

Just last month Sinner breezed past FAA 6-0, 6-2 on the hard courts over in Cincinnati.

Surely the reinvigorated Canadian will put up a far great fight on Friday night...

🎤 Heard in media

Jannik Sinner: “He had some big wins, so big confidence boost for him.

“Then we see what's going to happen. I feel like everything can happen. From my point of view, I always try to look at myself, and I'm very happy to be in the semis of a Grand Slam again.

“I feel like he has improved a lot. Even in one week time, you can make big adjustments, and I feel like he did that. Yes, it's going to be a very, very difficult match for both of us. It's going to be very interesting to see.”

Felix Auger-Aliassime: “Strengths and weaknesses... Jannik, not many strengths, huh? A lot of weaknesses in his game,” joked FAA.

“What to say about Jannik's game? He's been obviously untouchable at times. Honestly, the next match I'm not really going to focus on my opponent more than myself. I need to play good tennis.

“I need to play even better than I did today, tactically what I want to do. I need to play at a high level in two days and then next round as well. There is no other way.”