Carlos Alcaraz Dispatches Novak Djokovic And Races To The US Open Final Without A Dropping a Set In The Tournament So Far

Clive Brunskill. Getty Images.

Carlos Alcaraz just took care of Novak Djokovic in straight sets to advance to the US Open Final. It was competitive for a few sets, but at the end of the day the most likely outcome occurred. The 22 year old phenom over-powered the 38 year old all-time great. At some point father time truly catches up to all of us, even the best of the best. That's exactly what's happening here with Novak. 

While the story here is Carlos Alcaraz getting back to the US Open final where he'll more than likely face Jannik Sinner in another classic, let's talk Novak for a second. 

Is the window for another grand slam officially closed? Kinda seems that way. He's in a state of purgatory where he's a full level above everyone who isn't named Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz. The likes of Taylor Fritz, Jack Draper, Alexander Zverev, Alex de Minaur and Ben Shelton? Sure he can be beaten by those guys on an off day, but overall he's way more consistent at slams than all of them by a healthy margin. The definitive 3rd best player in the sport. As for Sinner and Alcaraz? Novak is a firm step below. Two out of three sure, but he doesn't give a damn about that anymore. It's all about grand slam number 25 for Novak and I'm not sure it's in the cards. 

For Djokovic to have any shot of beating those guys he has to get through his draw at a slam with zero extra work. Everything has to be easy and limit expending unnecessary energy. He accomplished that task for the most part in this slam, Wimbledon, and the French. It still wasn't enough. Djokovic's bread and butter used to be making matches physical and winning the long points. He wanted to make you suffer. He really can't do that anymore to Sinner or Alcaraz.

Maybe he can tightly compete for a few sets, but that really takes everything out of him. He's gotta win the first set and play with a lead. He had nothing left in the tank for the 3rd set, meanwhile Alcaraz could have kept going for hours. That's how it goes when you're the elder statesman 16 years older than your insanely talented competition. 

So what does Djokovic do now? What's gonna change from here on out besides a miracle draw that involves someone else beating Carlos/Alcaraz? It's gotta be so deflating to have this happen at every slam now. He's so good still at 38, but nowhere near good enough to do what he wants. This is the first year since 2017 where he didn't reach a slam final. It's not like he's embarrassing himself out there and losing to schmucks. He just can't elevate to a championship level. How much longer do you do this song and dance for? Australia has been his best slam. Wimbledon is his favorite place to play. I think he calls it a career at one of those in 2026. Again, he could just keep running this back until that gap between him and the 4th best player in the world shrinks. That's how good he still is. 

As for Carlos, he honestly wasn't at his best today which is even more upsetting news for Novak. The drop shots were off and the number of unforced errors nearly crept over the amount of winners. His serve really bailed him out in the first two sets and made things easier. If he's gonna beat Jannik on Sunday he's gonna have to clean things up. Silly to say as he's entering that final without dropping a set. If he continues that trend for one more match he'll be come the first man to ever accomplish the feat. I don't expect that at all obviously. Sinner is a monster and thrives at this tournament. The last time these two faced off in New York we had an instant classic. I was in the building for it and I don't think I'll ever go to a better sporting event live. 

Let's run it back. Just do your job tonight, Jannik.