What we covered here
• The US Open final is set: We had better get used to seeing this matchup in the next few years. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are once again set for a matchup in a grand slam final after both won their US Open semifnals on Friday.
Young blood defeats the old guard: In the first blockbuster men’s semifinal at this US Open, Spain’s Alcaraz defeated 24-time grand slam champion Novak Djokovic in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-2. Alcaraz is returning to the final of the tournament in which he won his first major title in 2022.
• World No. 1 holds off rising upstart: In the second semi, defending champion Sinner held off Félix Auger-Aliassime, who was playing his second-ever grand slam semifinal, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. The Italian was the heavy favorite but the Canadian Auger-Aliassime fought brilliantly and pushed the world’s top player throughout a thrilling match.
Sinner and Alcaraz waltz through the semifinals to set up another dance at the US Open
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are once again set to square off in a grand slam final and it feels like this year’s US Open is absolute confirmation that this rivalry will dominate the men’s game for the next several years.
Sinner and Alcaraz won their semifinal matches in impressive fashion on Friday, setting up their third straight clash in a grand slam final. With the way they’re playing, it feels like it’ll be a surprise if anyone else gets a crack at a major championship any time soon.
The world No. 1 started off his match hot, taking the first three games and rolling through the first set 6-1. But Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime won the hearts of the New York crowd with a spirited performance and took the second set.
It was Sinner who ended up getting the crucial breaks in the third and fourth set though, sending him on his way to a hard-fought victory. One last rally between the two opponents who thrilled this crowd for nearly three-and-a-half hours ended when Auger-Aliassime sent a final shot long and gave the fourth set to Sinner.
Sinner took the match 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, is back in the US Open final after a straight-sets victory over Novak Djokovic that was a lot tougher than the scoreline will show.
Alcaraz defeated the 24-time grand slam champion 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-2 in a match that went a little more than two-and-a-half hours.
It was a display of power against guile as Alcaraz was able to cover his entire half of the court whenever he wanted and was firing shots back at the veteran, who used his hard-won anticipation and bloody determination to hang with the Spaniard as long as he could.
But after one last double fault and an unforced error, Djokovic was broken and it was the 22-year-old who would be moving on.
The Spanish sensation has yet to drop a set in the US Open this year.
The final is set for 2 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Jannik Sinner is headed to the US Open final and another showdown with Carlos Alcaraz
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will once again play for a grand slam championship after Sinner defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Friday.
Massive cheers greeted the players as they took the court for the final game, with Sinner’s powerful serve unable to be returned by Auger-Aliassime. Another unforced error from the Canadian made it 30-0 and the crowd could sense that the end was near.
A double fault from the world No. 1 opened the door somewhat for Auger-Aliassime, but he quickly pushed the Canadian to match point.
One last rally between the two opponents who thrilled this crowd for nearly three-and-a-half hours ended when Auger-Aliassime sent a final shot long and gave the fourth set to Sinner.
It’s Sinner-Alcaraz in the final on Sunday – we better get used to hearing that.
Sinner is on the brink of the final, but Auger-Aliassime won't go quietly
Jannik Sinner is on the verge, but he may be in a bit of trouble.
Sinner got himself on the brink of the final by holding serve against Auger-Aliassime, putting himself up 5-3 and sending thousands of fans streaming for the exits.
Those fans missed maybe the point of the night that included incredible drop shots, powerful overhand strikes, rocket forehands, a lob from Auger-Aliassime, a between-the-legs shot from Sinner and finally one last winner from the Canadian as the crowd sounded more like they were on a roller coaster than watching a tennis match.
Auger-Aliassime looked in control in the following game, especially as Sinner appeared to be walking gingerly in between points after that intense rally with the Canadian. He appeared uncomfortable as he waited for Auger-Aliassime to serve and stopped going for some of the challenger’s shots that would have made him move across the court.
Auger-Aliassime took the game to make it 5-4 in favor of Sinner. The Italian serves for the match next.
Auger-Aliassime fights off Sinner's break points to give himself a chance
Felix Auger-Aliassime just staved off what could have been a fatal (in a tennis sense) break with some inspired play.
Both men once again – as they have throughout the match – played some truly awe-inspiring shots that drew gasps from the crowd. One of those gasps came on an errant serve from Auger-Aliassime hit a cameraman behind Sinner so hard that it was audible up here in section 131.
The Honey Deuces are clearly still flowing as the shouts from the crowd before serves are becoming increasingly deranged and non-sensical. It’s that kind of night here in Flushing Meadows and the people are loving this drama.
Auger-Aliassime fended off two break points from Sinner to eventually take the game and make it 4-3. He still has to find a way to break Sinner in order to have a chance at winning, but he’s not wilting yet.
Sinner goes up 4-2 in the fourth set and is eyeing a return to the US Open final
And there it is: Jannik Sinner might have just won the two games he needs to set himself up for another clash with Carlos Alcaraz in a grand slam final.
He only drops one point in holding serve against Felix Auger-Aliassime and is now up 4-2 in the fourth set. He can hold serve the rest of the way and book a place in the final.
Sinner turns the tables quickly and gets the break he needs
We went from Felix Auger-Aliassime having a chance to take the critical break to Jannik Sinner looking to put himself in control of this crucial fourth set.
After saving a break point in the last game, Sinner got Auger-Aliassime moving from side to side, keeping him guessing on where he was going.
Eventually, the Canadian sent a forehand long to give the game to the Italian. It’s 3-2 in favor of Sinner now, with the defending champ about to serve to take an important two game lead in this set.
Felix Auger-Aliassime is the King of Queens, but Jannik Sinner is still Jannik Sinner
Felix Auger-Aliassime is becoming the King of Queens for a night.
He wins a brilliant rally with Jannik Sinner and then gets himself in position for a break, remonstrating to the crowd as they stand and roar their approval.
It’s a goosebump-inducing atmosphere here now. The crowd so clearly wants Auger-Aliassime to win but some of the shots that Sinner hits – such as the magic backhand that just clipped (and that’s being generous) the line to push the game to deuce – are absolutely blowing their minds.
The Canadian simply can’t put the Italian favorite away, though. Every time he gets a break point, it’s an error that puts Sinner back in the game.
But then moments come like the forehand winner from Auger-Aliassime, which followed a brilliant Sinner drop shot that seemed unreturnable. Instead, the underdog sends it cross court and again the crowd explodes out of their seats.
Auger-Aliassime puts another one into the net to bring this game to a fourth deuce and if he converts a break here, it will send this stadium into the stratosphere. But Sinner is all too happy to play spoiler. After all that, it’s the Italian who ends up winning the game and evening up the set 2-2.
Tense stuff here that’s setting some heart rates racing all around Queens!
Auger-Aliassime takes 2-1 lead in the fourth set after extended between-sets break
Well, whatever was plaguing Felix Auger-Aliassime seems to not be too serious as he just took the first game from Jannik Sinner.
The Canadian does appear to be doing some extra stretching in between games while Sinner just calmly returns to the playing surface and gets ready, but still not clear from up here in the second deck what the issue might be.
Auger-Aliassime brings the crowd to its feet as he threatens to break Sinner, pulling off a series of impressive volleys to keep the Italian sprinting all over the court attempting to get to his shots. Another Sinner shot lands long and the Canadian has a massive opportunity to seize the initiative in the fourth set.
Sinner, though, is just … well, he’s the best in the world. He forces Auger-Aliassime into a backhand error and then blasts two aces past the Canadian to take control of the game. He gets Auger-Aliassime moving from side to side and eventually Sinner watches Auger-Aliassime’s shot fly well long to hand him the game. It’s 1-1, all to play for still.
The Canadian then holds serve again, going up 2-1 after surviving a hard-fought battle. The point went to three deuces, but it was a long return from Sinner off another smashed serve that handed Auger-Aliassime the win.
It’s 2-1 here in the fourth set.
Felix Auger-Aliassime leaves the court in between sets
Interesting moment here as Felix Auger-Aliassime has left the court during the break between sets.
He’s looked as if he’s been moving gingerly a few times in this match, but there was nothing obviously injured from my vantage point during that set. He’s had the gait of anyone who’s been playing top-level tennis for a few weeks with little breaks.
DJ Trizz keeps a remix of a Madonna song blasting as Jannik Sinner sits in his chair at center court, waiting for his opponent to return. He trots out onto the court to keep moving as Auger-Aliassime remains in the back.
The world No. 1 showed off a few party tricks during the break, including this wild racket spin.
The Canadian returns and quickly gets ready to serve, gesturing an apology to Sinner for the delay. We’re back underway here.
Sinner wins the third set, 6-3, and is one set away from another trip to the final
Jannik Sinner has taken this match by the scruff of the neck and made a massive step toward the US Open final.
Felix Auger-Aliassime is looking a bit rattled after Sinner’s big service break. First it was a double fault, then it was a backhand error into the net that gave Sinner another opportunity to break serve and win the set.
But the Canadian battled back to force the game to deuce, and held serve from there.
No matter for Sinner, who calmly takes control in his ensuing service game and puts the Canadian away without dropping a point.
It’s a 6-3 win in the third set for the world No. 1 and he is one set away from a third grand slam final against Carlos Alcaraz in 2025.
A massive break for Sinner puts the world No. 1 in control of the third set
Jannik Sinner just picked up a crucial break of serve, and Felix Auger-Aliassime is kicking himself.
The Italian jumped out to a 15-40 lead, aiming to break the Canadian’s serve and take control of this third set. Sinner barely got a racket on a powerful shot from Auger-Aliassime, and the Canadian stood back to watch it float.
It drifted. And drifted. And drifted. And then landed in bounds, much to the Canadian’s chagrin. He attempted to fire it back at Sinner but only found the net and Sinner took a 4-2 lead.
The disappointment is written all over Auger-Aliassime’s face as he falls behind in the next game and faces a 40-15 deficit. Sinner, meanwhile, looks as composed as ever and continues to plow forward.
Auger-Aliassime tries to catch the defending champion off-guard with a nifty forehand drop shot but the Italian is ready. Sinner charges to the net and blasts a cross-court forehand winner.
It’s 5-2 in the third set and Sinner has control of this one.
Back and forth we go as Sinner and Auger-Aliassime trade games
Jannik Sinner holds serve to make it 2-1 in the third set, but not without some tribulation.
Sinner is having trouble with his serves today – he double faulted in that last game and has only got 46% of his first serves in play. After so many occasions in the second set where both men held serve at love, each new game now is a closely contested battle.
Felix Auger-Aliassime answers with a strong service game of his own, evening the set at 2-2 as we near the two-hour mark of this contest. With both men still holding serve consistently, it’s going to take a heroic effort to decide this set.
Auger-Aliassime edges ahead in the next game 15-30 and the crowd senses that maybe he’s making his move. Sinner says not so fast, sending an ace past the Canadian that quiets the fans here in Flushing.
The defending champ has more where that came from, sending another ace past Auger-Aliassime. There’s a slight delay as Sinner points to something in the crowd and talks to the umpire about it, earning a chorus of boos from New Yorkers who have been waiting all day to boo.
He’s not rattled, forcing an error out of the Canadian and once again edging ahead in the set, 3-2.
Naomi Osaka still soaking up the US Open... as a fan
It’s been a little less than 24 hours since Naomi Osaka was ousted from the US Open by American Amanda Anisimova in the semifinal.
However, that hasn’t stopped the 27-year-old from taking in the sights and sounds of Arthur Ashe as a spectator on a beautiful Friday night to watch Jannik Sinner and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Sinner and Auger-Aliassime hold serve to start the third set as this match gets tense
Jannik Sinner has now dropped a grand total of two sets in this tournament and he’s got a rowdy New York City crowd firmly behind his opponent.
The Italian is always a bit stoic. Even as the fans here at Arthur Ashe keep yelling for Felix Auger-Aliassime, Sinner appears to be pretty unbothered by that lost set.
He immediately wins the first game of the third set, blowing away Auger-Aliassime without dropping a point.
Now a big moment is here: If Sinner breaks Auger-Aliassime here then it might feel like normality has returned and the Italian retakes control of the match.
Auger-Aliassime takes the first point, but Sinner bounced back with a series of cross-court winners that absolutely deflated his Canadian opponent.
But Auger-Aliassime is showing an impressive amount of mental toughness in this match and playing increasingly aggressively on the serve as he tries to take the fight to Sinner. He’s keeping pace with the Italian’s long rallies and a forehand volley winner brings a shout of joy from the crowd.
Sinner ends up with the break point opportunity, but can’t take advantage as Auger-Aliassime hits a serve that the world No. 1 can’t handle to bring the game to deuce. The Canadian fights all the way back and wins the game, holding serve in the face of Sinner’s pressure.
The temperature is certainly rising in this one now.
Auger-Aliassime gets the break of serve he needed and wins the second set, 6-3
Is this the moment for Felix Auger-Aliassime to finally break Jannik Sinner and put himself in position to win this second set?
The Canadian goes up 0-30 and the murmurs through the crowd here sense a big moment coming. When Sinner sends a backhand into the net to make it 0-40, Auger-Aliassime is greeted by an enormous cheer.
But the Italian already fended off a break point opportunity in the first set when he faced the same deficit so the Canadian can’t get ahead of himself. The boisterous crowd keeps interrupting Sinner’s service attempt, but when the Italian eventually fires one it’s too much for Auger-Aliassime to handle.
But a cross-court forehand winner leaves Sinner standing still and Auger-Aliassime has a chance to do what only one other player has done in this tournament: take a set off of Sinner.
That player was also Canadian – Denis Shapovalov did it in the third round of the tournament before eventually falling to the world No. 1.
Auger-Aliassime has confidence flowing through his veins now and his forehand shots are absolutely flying off his racket. He’s getting to everything that Sinner is throwing at him and a forehand error from Sinner flies into the net, sending members of the crowd shooting out of their seats.
An ace makes it 40-0 and Auger-Aliassime has a set point against Sinner. Another ace seals it.
Second set to Auger-Aliassime, and he gets a standing ovation in Queens. A dominant 6-3 second set win!
Sinner and Auger-Aliassime trade dominant service games in back-and-forth second set
This second set is just begging for a moment of brilliance where one of these players to change the back and forth of holding serve.
Jannik Sinner makes quick work of Felix Auger-Aliassime, winning every point as he makes the set 3-3. Auger-Aliassime returns the favor straight away, again holding serve at love as he takes the game and roars to his box in celebration.
It’s 4-3 Auger-Aliassime in the second set as the Canadian eyes a crucial game coming up to put himself in position to even up this match.
Auger-Aliassime and Sinner hold serve in the second set
Both men hold serve as this match makes like the Honey Deuce I had earlier today and finally starts to settle down a bit.
The highlight passage comes when Jannik Sinner picks up a miraculous point after Felix Auger-Aliassime’s drop shot looked sure to be a winner, charging to the net and firing a cross-court winner while on the run that was greeted by stunned cheers. Sinner takes the game to draw the set even at 2-2.
Auger-Aliassime has found his footing though and doesn’t drop a point in holding serve to go ahead up 3-2 as we head into a changeover and more celebrities are shown on the big screen.
Felix Auger-Aliassime starts the second set hot, but lets a golden chance pass
Any time Felix Auger-Aliassime wins a point, it’s greeted with a big cheer here at Arthur Ashe.
The Canadian just took the first game of the second match without dropping a point to Jannik Sinner. As the players change sides, a chant of “Here we go, Felix, here we go!” starts up.
For the first time in the match, Sinner looks a little rattled as he has two straight unforced errors and Auger-Aliassime has his eye on possibly breaking the Italian’s serve. Another Sinner backhand goes into the net and it’s 0-40 in favor of Auger-Aliassime, much to the delight of the crowd.
A bit of frustration on display from the Canadian after he drops a point to Sinner, slamming a ball back across the net near a member of the ball crew. He avoids the penalty, but he can’t avoid Sinner picking up another point with a perfectly placed forehand winner. The Italian shows why he’s the top player in the world, coming back to force deuce.
An ace and a serve that forces Auger-Aliassime to send his return long, Sinner fights off the break points to even up the second set. It has to be a moment of intense frustration for the Canadian after seeing a golden chance fall to the side.
He’s taking out some frustration with his serve – an ace just hit 124 mph and another serve just hit 127 – and he holds serve again to make it 2-1 in the second set.
Jannik Sinner takes the first set 6-1 over Felix Auger-Aliassime
It’s looking academic for Jannik Sinner as he takes the first set.
He picks up another break of serve to make it 5-1, keeping Felix Auger-Aliassime moving and forcing errors from the Canadian. The challenger also seems a little out of sorts, having made nine unforced errors already in the match.
When it’s Sinner’s turn to serve, he takes advantage of another Auger-Aliassime unforced error and then blasts an ace past his opponent. He takes the next two points and the first set is over in fewer than 45 minutes.
The world No. 1 takes the set 6-1.
Carlos Alcaraz calls it a 'privilege' to have Trump in attendance on Sunday
President Donald Trump is expected to be at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday when Carlos Alcaraz takes on the winner of the semifinal match Jannik Sinner and Felix Auger-Aliassime for the championship.
The 22-year-old Spaniard called it a “privilege” for the tournament to host the American president, but admitted he will not be thinking about it come match time.
“It is a privilege for the tournaments having the president from every country just to support the tournament, to support tennis, and to support the match,” Alcaraz told reporters.
“For me, playing in front of him… so, to be honest, I will try not to be focused, and I will try not to think about it. I don’t want myself to be nervous because of it, but I think, you know, attending the tennis match, it’s great for tennis to have the president into the final.”
Alcaraz was also very complimentary of Novak Djokovic, calling his tennis “impressive.”
“It’s impressive what he has done this year in the slams, reaching the semifinal in every slam, challenging the next gen,” Alcaraz said. “Challenging us the way he’s doing, it’s impressive. I told him always he looks like 25 years old physically, so to maintain that level at 38, it’s impressive.
