Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are set to deliver a blockbuster semifinal at the 2025 US Open after both stars powered through their quarterfinal matches on Tuesday, September 2. It’s a clash fans have been waiting for, pitting the 22-year-old Spanish sensation against the four-time US Open champion in a contest brimming with narrative, history, and high stakes.
Alcaraz, the tournament’s No. 2 seed, continued his near-flawless run in New York, dispatching No. 20 seed Jiri Lehecka in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. Not only has Alcaraz not dropped a set in five matches at this year’s Open, but he’s also extended his winning streak to 11 matches and now boasts 59 wins and six titles in 2025 alone. His relentless pace and dazzling shotmaking were on full display inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, where he wowed the crowd with a highlight-reel drop volley during a grueling 21-shot rally in the second set.
“I’m not, but sometimes when I go to the living room, my little brothers are watching my highlights, so I just sit down and watch them,” Alcaraz said with a grin when asked if he replays his own hot shots. “Everytime I watch my shots again, it reminds me [during] matches.” According to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, Alcaraz is on track to surpass his career-best season of 65 wins and six trophies from 2023, and with the No. 1 spot in the PIF ATP Rankings up for grabs, the stakes are higher than ever. “If I think about the No. 1 spot too much, I’m going to put pressure on myself, and I just don’t want to do that,” he explained. “I just want to step on court, try to do my things, follow my goals and try to enjoy as much as I can. The No. 1 [spot] is there, but I try to not think about it too much.”
Lehecka, for his part, pushed Alcaraz to the brink in several high-octane exchanges, but the Spaniard’s consistency on serve—winning 38 of 45 points behind his first delivery and facing no break points—proved too much. Lehecka’s own campaign in New York was a milestone; his second major quarterfinal appearance helped propel him to No. 15 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, ensuring a Top 20 debut. The Czech, who owns a 34-18 record this season and captured his second ATP Tour title in Brisbane, will surely reflect on this run with pride, despite the loss.
Alcaraz’s next test is a formidable one: Novak Djokovic. The Serbian legend, seeded No. 7, battled through a four-set thriller against No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz, ultimately prevailing 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4. The match was anything but routine, with Fritz, the last American man standing, rallying the New York crowd and snatching the third set after correcting his headband—an odd but memorable turning point. Djokovic, who’s now 296-1 when up two sets in his career, faced some adversity of his own, including a neck issue that required a precautionary massage and a rowdy crowd that drew his ire and led to a heated exchange with the chair umpire.
Despite the distractions, Djokovic’s experience shone through. He weathered Fritz’s late surge and the partisan atmosphere, closing out the match with poise—albeit on a double fault from the American. After the match, Djokovic dedicated his win to his daughter Tara, who was celebrating her birthday. “The dance in the end, she’s going to rate me tomorrow on how good the dance was,” Djokovic said, referencing his on-court celebration. “She told me how to dance. It’s K-Pop Demon Hunters ... Soda Pop is the name of the song. Obviously it’s a big thing globally for teenagers and for kids, but I didn’t know about it before. My daughter told me a few months ago about it. So we’re at home doing choreography and this is one of them. Hopefully I’ll make her smile when she wakes up tomorrow morning.”
The semifinal between Alcaraz and Djokovic is loaded with intrigue. Djokovic holds a 5-3 head-to-head advantage, including a quarterfinal triumph at this year’s Australian Open. However, all three of Alcaraz’s wins in the rivalry have come in the latter stages of tournaments—semifinals or finals—suggesting he thrives when the stakes are highest. Adding another layer, Alcaraz is vying to reclaim the World No. 1 ranking, with rival Jannik Sinner still in contention on the other side of the draw. If Alcaraz can match or better Sinner’s result, he’ll ascend to the top spot for the first time since September 2023.
Meanwhile, the women’s draw promises its own drama. No. 4 seed Jessica Pegula cruised past two-time major winner Barbora Krejcikova, 6-3, 6-3, to reach her second consecutive US Open semifinal. Pegula, now the lone American left in the singles draws, will face world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who advanced after Marketa Vondrousova withdrew due to injury. Sabalenka, a dominant force on hard courts with three of the last five hard-court majors to her name, leads their head-to-head 7-2, though Pegula’s two victories have both come on this surface. Their most recent meeting at the US Open ended in Sabalenka’s favor, as she claimed the 2024 title.
Pegula is just one win away from her first Grand Slam final, and with the home crowd behind her, she’ll be eager to flip the script against Sabalenka. The Belarusian, meanwhile, is looking to cement her status as the game’s premier hard-court player and add another major to her burgeoning resume.
As the 2025 US Open barrels toward its final weekend, fans can’t help but buzz with anticipation. Will Alcaraz’s youth and flair overcome Djokovic’s experience and grit? Can Pegula finally break through on the biggest stage, or will Sabalenka’s power reign supreme once again? With so many storylines in play, New York is set for a tennis spectacle that’s sure to keep everyone on the edge of their seats.
The semifinals are locked in, the stakes couldn’t be higher, and the world will be watching as tennis’ brightest stars vie for glory in the city that never sleeps.
