Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the US Open match.
Novak Djokovic will aim to reach the US Open final, having last won the title in 2023, but standing in his way is Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard won the title in New York a year before the Serb, and he currently looks the more likely to repeat that success.
Novak Djokovic
Djokovic faced a genuine test for the first time against Taylor Fritz (6:3, 7:5, 3:6, 6:4). After earlier routine wins by margins of at least eight games, the Serb edged the American by only four games. Novak has won 83% of his service points, but his first-serve percentage stands at 62%, and he has committed 22 double faults. The head-to-head with Carlos Alcaraz is close at 5:4, yet this season Djokovic has lost on hard courts to Jakub Menšík, Botic van de Zandschulp, Matteo Berrettini and Reilly Opelka — players outside the top 15.
Carlos Alcaraz
Alcaraz has been outstanding in New York — he has not dropped a set at this tournament. Since the start of May, the Spaniard has lost only once, to Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon final, winning 35 matches in that span. At the US Open, Carlos defeated Jiří Lehečka (ATP No. 21) and four other top-100 opponents, conceding just one game on serve across 15 sets. The Spaniard has been secure behind his first serve — only in the opening round against Reilly Opelka did he record six double faults, and he has matched that total across the next four matches combined.
Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz Prediction
Djokovic and Alcaraz are both in excellent form, but Carlos has been the standout performer alongside Jannik Sinner this season. On current evidence, The Spaniard is well placed to beat Novak in the US Open semi-finals and avenge his defeat at the Australian Open.
