Novak Djokovic Hopes to ‘Mess up’ Possible Jannik Sinner Versus Carlos Alcaraz US Open Final After Advancing to Semis

Novak Djokovic could face defending champion Jannik Sinner if he beats Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinal of the US Open.

Novak Djokovic Hopes to ‘Mess up’ Possible Jannik Sinner Versus Carlos Alcaraz US Open Final After Advancing to Semis

Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic (via The Tennis Letter)

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Novak Djokovic is into the US Open semifinal and has set up a blockbuster clash with Carlos Alcaraz. The winner could see himself lock horns with Jannik Sinner, who has to go past compatriot Lorenzo Musetti to book a semifinal spot.

A defeat would see Alcaraz reach a Grand Slam final for the third straight time after his final appearances at the French Open and Wimbledon, playing both matches against Sinner, winning the former and losing the latter. But Djokovic has sent a warning to Alcaraz; he wants to ruin fans’ expectations of seeing Alcaraz and Sinner face each other in a Major final for the third time in a row. The Serb said at the press conference:

We know that they are two best players in the world. Everybody’s probably expecting and anticipating the finals between two of them. I’m going to try to mess up the plans of most of the people, and let’s see. Sinner still has to win a couple of matches to get to the finals, but they are playing definitely the best tennis of any player here.

Djokovic holds a 5-3 head-to-head lead over the Spaniard, winning their last two encounters: in the quarterfinals of this year’s Australian Open and last year’s Paris Olympics final. Against Sinner, Djokovic trails 4-6, losing the last five matches, including in the semifinals of this year’s French Open and Wimbledon.

I mean, they’ve been dominant force since the beginning of the tournament. But definitely not going with the white flag on the court. I don’t think anybody does really when they play them, but particularly, not me.

Novak Djokovic added

Sinner, the defending champion (beat Taylor Fritz last year), wants to be a triple Grand Slam winner after his wins at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Alcaraz took home the French Open. The last Major title Djokovic bagged was at the 2023 US Open, and since then, he has only appeared in a Major final (last year’s Wimbledon).

Novak Djokovic on missing two match points against Taylor Fritz

Novak Djokovic was very disappointed after he squandered two match points in the fourth set against Taylor Fritz. Fritz extended the game to deuce after being down 15-40 after two good rallies. Djokovic, at the press conference, said he was not being proactive at that time, and that he was rather in a defensive position.

Taylor Fritz, Novak Djokovic
Taylor Fritz, Novak Djokovic (Image via X/The Tennis Letter, Raulgunner10)

I was debating whether I should step up for the second serve or go back, and I went back, and I had pretty good success today against him when I went back because just wanted to give him a different look. Whether that provoked him to make a double fault or not, I don’t know.

Djokovic won the match because of Fritz’s fifth double fault. As expected, Fritz did challenge Djokovic, but in the end, he once again failed to clinch a win over him, as he now trails 0-11 in the head-to-head matchups.

This semifinal win means Djokovic will once again climb to the No.4 spot on the live rankings table, removing Fritz. Winning the tournament will see him surpass World No.3 Alexander Zverev.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are battling for the No.1 spot. Winning the tournament or a better campaign than Sinner will see Alcaraz dethrone his arch-rival with 11,540 points. The 22-year-old has played eight finals and taken home six titles so far this season, while Djokovic and Sinner have won one and two trophies, respectively.

The lone title that Djokovic bagged was the ATP 250 Geneva Open by beating Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz. Apart from the tournament, he also reached the Miami Open final, losing the match to Jakub Mensik.

Also read: Drake Places a Ridiculous $300k Bet on Jannik Sinner to Win the US Open Title