THE US Open will come to a close today at Flushing Meadows as the two biggest stars in tennis face off yet again!
Rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will go head-to-head in their third Grand Slam final of the year with US president Donald Trump attending the showpiece match.
Sinner beat Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final earlier this summer to take the SW19 crown for the first time.
Sinner is looking to defend his US Open title and win the 2025 trilogy between the two titans of men’s singles.
Carlos Alcaraz is looking to get one over on Novak Djokovic after losing their previous two encounters at the Australian Open in January and in the Paris Olympics gold medal match.
The Spanish star said: “Novak, we all know Novak’s game. It doesn’t matter that he has been out of the Tour since Wimbledon.
“[He’s] playing great matches here. I know he’s hungry. I know his ambition for more, so let’s see.
“I know I played a lot of times against him. I really want revenge. That’s obvious.”
‘Mess up’ the Sinner vs Alcaraz rivalry
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have dominated tennis this year, with them meeting in five finals, including the last two Slams, within the last year.
Novak Djokovic is likely to have to beat both to clinch glory in New York as the Italian faces Felix Auger Aliassime in the other semi.
On disrupting the Sinner-Alcaraz dominance, Djokovic said: “Everybody is probably expecting and anticipating the final between the two of them.
“I’m going to try to mess up the plans of most of the people.”
‘Not sure how the body will feel’
After beating Taylor Fritz in the last round, Novak Djokovic revealed concerns over his fitness, saying: “I’m going to try to take one day at a time. Really take care of my body. Try to relax and recover.
“The next couple of days is really key for me to really get my body in shape and ready to battle five sets if it’s needed.
“I just would really love to be fit enough to play and to play, potentially five sets with Carlos. I know that my best tennis is going to be required, but I’d rise to the occasion.
“Normally I like to play the big matches on a big stage. It’s just that I’m not really sure how the body is going to feel in the next few days.
“But I’m going to do my very best with my team to be fit for that.
“There’s going to be a lot of running involved, that’s for sure. It’s not going to be short points.”
Alcaraz’s path to the semi-final
Carlos Alcaraz has not dropped a set but has not come up against a player ranked inside the world’s top 20 yet.
Round One: Reilly Opelka in straight sets
Round Two: Mattia Bellucci in straight sets
Round Three: Luciano Darderi in straight sets
Round Four: Arthur Rinderknech in straight sets
Quarter-Final: Jiri Lehecka in straight sets
Djokovic’s path to the semi-final
Novak Djokovic has dumped three Americans out of the tournament en route to tonight’s semi.
Round One: Learner Tien in straight sets
Round Two: Zachary Svajda in straight sets
Round Three: Cameron Norrie in four sets
Round Four: Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets
Quarter-Final: Taylor Fritz in four sets
Super semi-final
Welcome to SunSport’s LIVE coverage of the blockbuster men’s US Open semi-final clash between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.
The Serbian icon is in the hunt for his record-breaking 25th Grand Slam victory.
Djokovic is currently tied at the top of the all-time charts with 24 major wins with Margaret Court.
Victory at Flushing Meadows this year would cement him as the undoubted greatest to ever step foot on a tennis court.
But aged 38 and without a Slam title since 2023, time is ticking for Djokovic.
As for Alcaraz, he and rival Jannik Sinner are the new big hitters in the sport.
The Spaniard is already a five-time Slam champion at the age of 22 and he has cruised through his matches so far without dropping a set.
Alcaraz last lost a match that was not a final back in March when he suffered a shock second round defeat to David Goffin at the Miami Open.
EMMA RADUCANU suffered one of her heaviest defeats at the Grand Slams as she was blown away by clean-hitting Elena Rybakina.
The former US Open champion was crushed 6-1 6-2 in the third round by the 2022 Wimbledon conqueror.
2
Emma Raducanu was dumped out of the US OpenCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
2
The Brit was blitzed by pal and doubles partner Elena RybakinaCredit: AP
The pair may have shared the doubles court together and have a decent relationship in the locker room but it was one-way traffic for the Eastern European.
Fashion mogul Anna Wintour watched on from Raducanu’s box as the 22-year-old, wearing her lucky colour of red, was easily beaten before most New Yorkers had grabbed their lunches.
It is her misfortune that she has been dumped out of the four Slams this year by multiple champions Iga Swiatek (Australia and French Open) and Aryna Sabalenka (Wimbledon).
The first clash against the Pole represents the heaviest major loss on her CV – a 6-1 6-0 walloping in Melbourne in January.
Up to 34 in the world, her task ahead of the 2026 Australian Open is to be one of the top 32 seeds so she avoids a big name in the opening rounds.
Raducanu’s serving had been impressive this week but then she did have to play two qualifiers from Asia, Ena Shibahara and Janice Tjen, who were both eliminated in under 62 minutes.
This was a significant step-up in class, though Rybakina does not have a great record at the US Open, having never made the quarter-finals before.
Raducanu, 23, was broken for the first time in the tournament as Rybakina managed to read the return and was hitting the ball cleanly and with authority, crushing every ball from the baseline.
The Moscow-born Kazakhstani, 26, was giving Raducanu no time to breathe on a much cooler morning at Flushing Meadows, far removed from some of the more stifling, humid days the players have had to experience in tournaments past.
Rybakina was firmly in charge when she broke for the second time in game six of the first set.
Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper accused of ‘ex vibes’ as Carlos Alcaraz is upstaged by Brits’ awkward embrace at net
The Brit had no answer and after 27 minutes, despite coach Francisco Roig’s constant talk and instructions from the sidelines, she was a set behind.
Even when she thought she could make an inroad into the Rybakina serve, her opponent produced a powerful first serve in response.
Having cruised through her opening two appearances, this was an example of the real Grand Slam challenge, with Rybakina hitting 11 winners, six off the forehand.
Things got any worse at the start of set two as Raducanu crumbled from 40-love up and was broken by the No9 seed.
Roig, formerly in the Rafa Nadal camp, shouted out “the ball is very heavy” and that is true but it does not help when it comes back at you at such pace and precision.
On the Louis Armstrong Stadium, named after the famous New Orleans-born trumpeter and jazz musician, Raducanu did not have all the time in the world.
In fact her time in the event was all over when 62 minutes on the match clock — her quickest Grand Slam exit.
Tennis stars following in parents’ footsteps
TALK about pressure…
These rising stars are all making their way in tennis.
But they have got something in common – they’ve got a famous parent who also made their name in the sport.
So who are the players hoping to follow in the footsteps of their tennis mums and dads?
CARLOS ALCARAZ has unveiled a radical new look for the US Open – he has shaved off all his HAIR.
The five-time Grand Slam champion rocked up at Flushing Meadows on day two.
4
Carlos Alcaraz had a full head of hair when he was at the US Open last weekCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
4
Alcaraz stunned fans with a dramatic new look on Tuesday afternoonCredit: X
4
Alcaraz was compared to David Beckham in the early 2000s by fansCredit: X
And fans were left shocked when they spotted him on the practice courts.
The Spaniard, 22, normally has thick, black hair and certainly did when he played in the Mixed Doubles Championship.
That was last Tuesday with Emma Raducanu on the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Yet ahead of his first-round encounter with lanky American Reilly Opelka on Tuesday evening, he turned up with a fresh skinhead.
It was a surprising look that was captured by US Open cameras and footage was posted on their Instagram channel.
The former US Open champion wore a white Nike Total 90 Dri-FIT soccer jersey, which was a sleeveless top.
It is perhaps a wise choice given the heat and humidity of playing in the Big Apple at this time of the year.
Nonetheless, the decision to chop off his locks was a recent one.
That was given that a video was posted on Monday of him attending St Patrick’s cathedral off Fifth Avenue.
The world-renowned tennis player was given a blessing from a Catholic priest – and in the footage, he has a full head of hair.
Petra Kvitova’s Tearful Farewell: The Emotional End of a Grand Slam Legend
Alcaraz is one of the biggest sportsmen on the planet and will be hoping for a deep run at the last Slam of the year.
In their last four tournaments together, Alcaraz and world No.1 Jannik Sinner have met in the final.
They battled it out in Rome, Paris, Wimbledon and Cincinnati.
Assuming he has not lost his magical powers like biblical hero Samson did following a hair cut, then there is a great chance Alcaraz and Sinner could meet again in the final on Sunday September 7.
How to watch the 2025 US Open
THE tennis world has descended upon New York City for the fourth and final slam of the year.
The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows will have the eyes of the sporting universe upon it.
The 2025 US Open takes place from Sunday 24 August to Sunday 7 September.
And there is a standalone mixed-double competition as well as qualifying taking place in the week beforehand.
ESPN is showing every moment live for fans in the United States, and you can sign up below.
*If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue
Jack Draper has spoken following his mixed doubles win over Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu, along with partner Jessica Pegula.
I have got a pretty good partner.
What an experience playing out here with Jessica, playing Emma and Carlos, it doesn’t get any better than this.
Just a pleasure to be out here.
Jack Draper
How to watch
The US Open is set to restart tonight.
The event resumed at 7pm ET, which is 12am BST.
Fans can watch it on ESPN and Sky Sports.
Djokovic tippeed for shock win
Novak Djokovic has been backed by iconic tennis coach Rick Macci to win the US Open, but only if a few things go his way.
Maci said of the Serb:”He can win the US Open because he still checks enough boxes.
“He has to make sure that he’s not playing four or five hours the other matches because you’ve got a day or whatever to get back and do it again.
“It’s the physical and mental toll that’s going to be tough on his body, but if the draw breaks the right way, or if Alcaraz or Sinner, something happens to them along the way…
“It changes the whole roadmap, the way you’re looking at this thing. He definitely could win the US Open, but those things have to happen.
“But if he has a lot of tough matches and then he has to go through both those guys, I think that’s kind of rough sledding.”
Novak speaks
Novak Djokovic took to X to express his delight at sharing the court with protege Olga Danilovic in their mixed doubles match with Daniil Medvedev and Mirra Andreeva.
He wrote on X: “Always fun playing mix doubles with Olga.
“Thank you@usopen for the WC opportunity to play.”
Womens seedings confirmed
The seedings for the women’s US Open have been confirmed.
Unsurprisingly, World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka is the top seed, with Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff being second and third seeds, respectively.
Check out the full seedings below.
Pegula reacts to mixed doubles win with Draper
She said: “This stadium was packed, so thanks to everyone for showing up.
“That was such a fun atmosphere. Even if it meant a couple of highlight-reel shots by Carlos to get the crowd going, it was really fun.
“I’ve played doubles a lot. I haven’t played that much recently.
“So, it’s always tricky, especially going into a mixed format, playing against other people who don’t play a lot of doubles.
“It was a lot of fun. Jack played great. Excited to be back soon.”
