Expert choices are back for the blockbuster US Open Semifinal Matchup between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. A panel with three teams makes its predictions for Friday’s confrontation.
Ricky: There is no real debate about who will win this competition. The question is whether it will be competitive. At first glance it is tempting to support Alcaraz to simply blow Djokovic on the field. However, if you dig it, it is difficult to fully demand Djokovic. The most important thing is that this is a large slam that we are talking about. Djokovic gives these tournaments and these tournaments only on this point in his career. He is impressive 4-out-4 when making semi-final journeys on the four slams in 2025. He looked good in the last two rounds against Jan-Lennard Struff and Taylor Fritz after going through the movements in week one again. And then there is the head-to-head: Djokovic leads it with 5-3 and has won two in a row over Alcaraz. Only one of their four major meetings ended in straight sets. All this means that Djokovic can keep it close for a while before Alcaraz carries it down and takes over control. The World No. 2 is 44-2 in its last 46 games that dates back to the start of the Klei Court Swing. A loss was for Jannik Sinner; The other was due to injury. Djokovic falls to 0-4 in Slam Semis this year. Alcaraz in 4: 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.
Cheryl: I claim not to be clairvoyant or can Djokovic’s thoughts read, but I have to think he is grateful that he is half of the draw in Alcaraz’s and not Sinner’s. He can beat Alcaraz. In fact, he did this this year. Admittedly, it was on the Australian Open – Djokovic’s best slam and the worst of Alcaraz. The story changes a bit in New York. But still, Alcaraz does not hurt Djokovic like Sinner. So that’s the good news for the goat. The bad news is that Alcaraz plays better tennis than Djokovic. Taylor Fritz had 762 chances to break the Serve of Djokovic (okay, fine … 13) and managed to convert only twice. And the American still took a set. Zachary Svajda and Cameron Norrie did that too. In short, the 38-year-old looked vulnerable. The truth is that Djokovic, as long as Alcaraz and Sinner are active in the draw, is no longer the favorite. Look for Alcaraz to use the age of the Serbian and somewhat questionable fitness. Alcaraz in 3: 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Pore ((Tennis -inzicht)): Djokovic, Alcaraz and Sinner remain his way through the first five rounds at Majors and arrive in the semi -final in 2025. With Sinner and Alcaraz firmly anchored as the top two players on the ATP tour, it is a matter of who Djokovic encounters in the semi -final. At the Australian Open, Djokovic came out of a set in the quarterfinals to beat Alcaraz in four. At Roland Garros and Wimbledon, the sinner overlooked the Serbian in straight sets in the semi -final. Alcaraz, the recent Cincinnati champion and 2022 US Open winner, has not dropped a set in New York, has won two sets by Bagels and has only played one tiebreaker. Djokovic, a four-time champion and 10 finalist in New York, lost two sets en route to the semi-final. They played eight times – Djokovic won five, including the last two, as well as all three games on hard courts in their H2H. This is the first time they meet on the US Open and they will now have played with all four Majors. Despite the fact that the general and recent history is in their meetings on the side of the 24-way winner, Alcaraz continues its fine shape and will be able to prevent a brave effort from Djokovic. Alcaraz in 4: 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (4).
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