Djokovic, Sabalenka seal US Open semi spots; Alcaraz showdown awaits

WEB DESK: Novak Djokovic booked his place in yet another US Open semi-final on Tuesday, but the 38-year-old admitted his biggest challenge may be keeping his body ready for the looming showdown with Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic defeated fourth seed Taylor Fritz 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 in a grueling quarter-final, sealing a record-equalling 14th semi-final appearance at Flushing Meadows. The victory also extended his unbeaten record against American opponents at the US Open to 16-0 and marked his 53rd semi-final at a Grand Slam. Meanwhile, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the U.S. Open semifinals without hitting a ball after Marketa Vondrousova withdrew from their quarterfinal clash due to injury.

Despite the win, Djokovic acknowledged he was feeling the effects of a draining encounter. “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. “I’d love to be fit enough to go the distance with Carlos because I know only my best tennis will be enough.”

Alcaraz, Djokovic on US Open collision course

The highly anticipated clash will be their fifth meeting at a major but first at the US Open. Djokovic holds a 5-3 edge in their rivalry and has won all three of their hard-court encounters, including their most recent meeting in the Australian Open quarter-finals earlier this year. Still, the Serb admitted uncertainty. “Normally I love playing big matches on a big stage,” he said. “It’s just that I’m not sure how the body is going to feel. I don’t feel very fresh now, but hopefully in two days it will be different.”

Djokovic credited grit and determination for pulling him through against Fritz, who had 13 break-point chances but converted only two. “It was incredibly close. I thought he was the better player for most of the second and third sets,” Djokovic reflected. “It was one of those days you just have to grind and play with your heart.”

Fresh trim, same fire: Alcaraz begins US Open with statement win

Fritz, last year’s US Open runner-up, rued missed opportunities, particularly in the tight fourth set where he saved two match points before double-faulting on Djokovic’s third. “I had so many more chances than the stat line shows,” Fritz said. “That’s what makes the great players great — they win the big points.”

Djokovic’s triumph not only dashed American hopes of a men’s Grand Slam champion for the first time since 2003 but also set the stage for what promises to be a blockbuster semi-final. With Alcaraz in red-hot form and Djokovic chasing a record 25th major, all eyes will be on whether the veteran’s body can hold up for another classic battle.

Sabalenka expresses sympathy

The 2023 Wimbledon champion had stunned Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina earlier in the tournament but pulled up in practice on Tuesday, leaving the court in tears. The nature of her injury remains unclear, though it adds to a string of fitness setbacks that saw her miss last year’s U.S. Open and this year’s Australian Open.

Sabalenka expressed sympathy for her opponent, writing on Instagram, “So sorry for Marketa after all she’s been through. She’s been playing amazing tennis, and I know how badly this must hurt for her.” With the walkover, Sabalenka becomes only the third woman in the professional era to reach a Grand Slam semifinal this way. The top seed will now face American Jessica Pegula in a highly anticipated rematch of last year’s final.

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