Carlos Alcaraz proved too strong for Novak Djokovic in the US Open semi-final. The young gun ousted the veteran 6-4, 7-6, 6-2 after two hours and 23 minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium for a place in his seventh Major final at 22!
The Spaniard entered the duel as the favorite. However, the 38-year-old proved his eternalclass in sets one and two, pushing world no. 2 to the limits before losing steam in set number three.
Djokovic provided his only break in the opening stages of the second set. However, it was not enough to keep him in contention after dropping the pivotal points.
Carlos claimed 20 points more and provided 31 winners and 30 unforced errors. While he admitted he could have played better, it was more than enough to overpower Novak's 15-30 ratio.
The El Palmar native dominated with his first serve and faced only one break point. He stole 41% of the points in the Serb's games and provided four breaks from seven opportunities.
The veteran did not play well at the net. He lacked more efficient net rushes and had little in the tank after dropping a tie break. Novak experienced a setback in the first game of the match.
He missed a game point and placed a forehand long on a break point to drop serve and fall behind. The younger player attacked again on the return in the third game and generated a break chance.
Djokovic saved it with a solid serve and held to reduce the deficit. Carlos held after deuces in the fourth game for 3-1 and landed a service winner two games later for 4-2.
They served well in the remaining games, with Novak following the rival's pace. However, he could not create a chance to pull the break back. Alcaraz held at love in game eight with a service winner and served for the set at 5-4.
The Spaniard seized a set point with another unreturned serve, wrapping up the first part of the duel in 48 minutes. Djokovic closed the first game of the second set with a forehand winner and generated his only break chance in the next one.
The Serb claimed an entertaining point to celebrate a break and move 2-0 in front. The veteran held at love in the third game and extended the lead after a service winner.
However, the four-time winner netted a routine backhand in the fifth game, dropping serve and bringing world no. 2 back to the positive side. There were no more chances for the returners in the remaining games.
They provided fine holds in games 11 and 12 to introduce a tie break. Novak lost three points on serve early on and fell 4-1 behind after a tired drop shot attempt.
However, he pulled both mini-breaks back in the next two points and climbed back to 3-4 after a crafty winner at the net. The Serb netted a forehand in the eighth point and dropped another point on serve.
Alcaraz landed a powerful serve at 5-4 for two set points and seized the first with another to wrap up the set and move two sets to love in front after an hour and 51 minutes.
Carried by that boost, the Spaniard lost only a couple of points on serve in the third set. The veteran ran out of steam and failed to match that level after two intense sets.
Djokovic held in the second game with a service winner but faced issues at 1-2. Novak hit a double fault and experienced two break points. He hit another on the second to drop serve and move closer to the exit door.
Carlos fired an ace in the next one for 4-1 and held at love two games later, moving closer to the finish line. Djokovic served to stay in the match at 2-5 and faced two match points after another double fault.
The Serb missed a volley on the first, suffering another break and propelling his rival over the top.
