Novak Djokovic has warned that he intends to derail the narrative at this year’s US Open, insisting he wants to ruin the prospect of a final involving Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
The 38-year-old Serbian booked his place in the semi-finals on Tuesday with a 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 victory over Taylor Fritz, extending his perfect record against the American to 11-0.
His next opponent is Alcaraz, who has raced through the draw without dropping a set and looks in ominous form.
Sinner, the defending champion, remains on course in the opposite half, with many fans and pundits already envisioning a showdown between the two younger stars in Sunday’s final.
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are currently the best two players in the world
| PADjokovic made it clear he does not intend to play along, however.
“We don’t need to spend words about two of them,” he said of Alcaraz and Sinner.
“They are the two best players in the world. Everybody is probably expecting and anticipating the finals between two of them.
"I’m going to try to mess up the plans of most people. I am definitely not going with a white flag on the court.”
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The Serb is chasing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, which would move him clear of Margaret Court’s all-time tally.
He also became the first player in the Open Era to reach the semi-finals at all four majors in a single season at the age of 38, underlining his ability to remain competitive at a time when most of his contemporaries are long retired.
His path past Fritz was not straightforward.
Djokovic raced into the match with an early break and snatched the opening set despite saving five break points.
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A little soda pop birthday dance for Novak's daughter 🫶 pic.twitter.com/TsmFeh8Nyj
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In the second set he had to survive more pressure, losing serve at 5-4 before responding immediately to edge it 7-5.
“I somehow found a way to clinch that second set,” he admitted.
“Honestly, for my standards, I wasn’t playing well. I didn’t feel the ball as well as in the earlier rounds.”
Fritz capitalised on Djokovic’s dip to take the third set, the first the American has managed to win in their 11 encounters.
But when the fourth reached 5-4, Djokovic pounced. He broke serve at the decisive moment to wrap up the contest, closing in on yet another US Open final.
A meeting with Alcaraz now looms, their first since Djokovic’s win at the Australian Open earlier this year.
While Sinner has beaten Djokovic in five straight matches, including three Grand Slam semi-finals, the Serb has won his last two against Alcaraz, including in the Olympic final.
Djokovic knows the physical demands will be brutal.
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Novak Djokovic remains unbeaten against Taylor Fritz after charging into the last four of the US Open
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“The next couple of days are really key for me to get my body in shape and ready to battle five sets if it’s needed,” he said.
“There’s going to be a lot of running involved, that’s for sure. But I’ve always liked playing the big matches on the big stage. I know my best tennis will be required, and I’m ready to rise to the occasion.”