As the 2025 US Open heats up, all eyes are on one of tennis’s most compelling rivalries: Novak Djokovic, the 38-year-old legend in pursuit of an astounding 25th Grand Slam, versus 22-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, the young sensation chasing a second US Open crown. Their upcoming semifinal clash is rich in narrative, stakes, and legacy — here’s everything you need to know.
Match Basics: When and What’s at Stake?
• Date & Time
The semifinal is scheduled for Friday, September 5, in the coveted prime-time slot starting not before 3:00 p.m. EDT (19:00 GMT / around 8:00 p.m. BST) .
• Path to This Moment
◦ Carlos Alcaraz breezed into the semifinal with a commanding 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 win over Jiri Lehecka, not dropping a set in the tournament .
◦ Novak Djokovic endured a tougher road, notably defeating Taylor Fritz in a demanding four-set quarterfinal .
• The Stakes?
The winner moves on to face either Jannik Sinner or Felix Auger-Aliassime in the final, with Sinner currently holding the top ranking .
Rivalry Recap: Djokovic vs Alcaraz — History in the Making
• Head-to-Head Record
Djokovic holds a 5–3 advantage over Alcaraz across their eight meetings .
• Key Past Encounters
◦ Alcaraz stunned Djokovic in the Wimbledon finals of 2023 and 2024 .
◦ Djokovic turned the tables by defeating Alcaraz in the Paris Olympics gold-medal match (2024) and the 2025 Australian Open quarterfinals .
◦ This semifinal marks their first-ever meeting at the US Open.
• Historic Context
Their rivalry
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