Carlos Alcaraz overpowered Novak Djokovic in straight sets to book his place in the US Open final on Friday and set up a potential blockbuster showdown with defending champion Jannik Sinner.
Spanish second seed Alcaraz produced a ruthlessly efficient display to end Djokovic's latest bid for a record 25th Grand Slam singles title, winning 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 in two hours and 23 minutes.
The 22-year-old five-time Grand Slam winner, who has not dropped a set on his path to Sunday's final, ultimately proved too strong for the increasingly weary 38-year-old Djokovic.
"I played great tennis and I am happy to be at my second final at the US Open," Alcaraz said. "I tried to play a physical match and I think I did."
Alcaraz had Djokovic under pressure from the very first game, breaking the Serb to grab a crucial advantage that he never surrendered before taking the opening set.
Djokovic, enjoying full-throated backing from the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd, raised hopes of a fightback in the second set when he broke Alcaraz to move into a 3-0 lead.
But Alcaraz broke back in the fifth game before the set went to a tiebreak which the Spaniard led from the opening point before clinching 7/4 for a commanding two-set lead.
There was only going to be one victor thereafter, Alcaraz pouncing on Djokovic's serve once more to help set up a 4-1 lead before hanging on to seal a win which avenged the Spaniard's defeat to Djokovic in last year's Olympic final.
With AFP
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