Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Alcaraz to prevail in blockbuster semi-final

Alcaraz has been the most prolific player on tour in 2025, winning 59 of his 65 matches and coming into this contest on a 11-match winning streak after claiming the Cincinnati title before arriving in New York. The Spaniard has astonishingly made the final of his last seven consecutive tournaments since the start of the clay swing and is now targeting his second US Open title after winning his maiden major slam at Flushing Meadows in 2022. Meanwhile, Djokovic continues to rewrite history, with the 38-year-old becoming the oldest player in the Open Era to make the semi-finals of all four Grand Slams in the same season. Djokovic has now made a ridiculous 53 semi-finals from just 80 Grand Slam main draw appearances, holding a 37-15 record at this stage. The Serbian is gunning for his fifth US Open crown having most recently reigned supreme in 2023.

It promises to be a cracking contest, but I expect Alcaraz to prove too strong. Yes, Djokovic has won all three hardcourt meetings between the pair, but this is a different version of Alcaraz and the Serbian has looked physically compromised at various stages throughout the tournament. Of course, Djokovic can play possum with the best of them, but there is no denying he was fading during the latter stages of his quarter-final victory over Taylor Fritz, with only the American's nerves getting in the way of extending the match to a fifth. Djokovic should be able to take at least one set, but Alcaraz in this sort of mood and this new-found ruthless efficiency should come out on top in four or five sets.

Djokovic leads 5-3, winning all three hardcourt encounters - including in the Australian Open quarter-finals earlier this season. Djokovic also won one of the biggest matches of his career over Alcaraz in the final of the Paris Olympics last year.

Alcaraz has been on fire for most of the season, but especially since the start of the clay swing, where he was made seven consecutive finals, winning 44 of his last 46 matches.

The Spaniard has picked up titles at Monte Carlo, Rome, Roland Garros, Queen's Club and Cincinnati, along with finishing runner-up in Barcelona and Wimbledon during that period.

As a result, the World No. 1 ranking is also up for grabs in New York for Alcaraz - he simply needs to go one round further than Sinner, which may include beating him in the final.

Alcaraz has traditionally gone walkabout in the early rounds at slams throughout his young career, but not this US Open.

The 22-year-old is the only player not to have dropped a set this tournament, easing past Reilly Opelka, Mattia Bellucci, Luciano Darderi, Arthur Rindernknech and Jiri Lehecka. Alcaraz was a dominant 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 winner over Lehecka in the quarter-finals, dropping just seven points behind his first serve and facing no break points.

Djokovic has put together a 31-9 record on the season, focusing almost entirely on the Grand Slams as he chases an elusive 25th major title.

While he also captured his 100th career title in Geneva and made the Miami Masters final, Djokovic is fully intent on saving his best tennis and preserving his body for the majors.

The 38-year-old has now made the semi-finals of all Grand Slams in 2025, losing only to World No. 1 Jannik Sinner.

It hasn't been smooth sailing for Djokovic so far in New York - he dropped a set each to Zachary Svajda and Cameron Norrie in the second and third rounds, but he raised his level for a straight sets beatdown of Jan-Lennard Struff in the R16 before improving to 11-0 over Taylor Fritz in the quarter-finals.

Djokovic eliminated last year's runner-up by a 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 score, saving 11 of 13 break points and proving clutch in the decisive moments late in the fourth.