Carlos Alcaraz back in US Open final for first time in three years as Novak Djokovic unable to upset Spanish king

Carlos Alcaraz is back in the US Open final after taking down Novak Djokovic in a superb win 6-4, 7-6, 6-2. He will face either Jannik Sinner or Felix Auger-Aliassime on Sunday.

Djokovic didn't do a lot wrong but again it was very much an ageing player facing off against the current king alongside Jannik Sinner of the sport and unable to match the dominance he once had while playing at a high level.

He played his part and should've won the second set but even with the presence of Monica Seles, it wasn't to be for Djokovic tonight.

Alcaraz won the toss and elected to receive. He put pressure on Djokovic right from the jump as a result. He crafted a break point but when he came to the net, his forehand didn't get over. The second break point was converted when Djokovic made a unforced error.

Alcaraz struggled to make an impact on the Alcaraz serve as the Spaniard sent down a 128mph serve en route to sweeping through 2-0. Djokovic finally held serve but only after Alcaraz had another break point. He put the pressure on again and Alcaraz not taking on a cross court shot as he thought it was going wide proved to be a difference.

But while Alcaraz was back in business, he took his eye off the ball. He allowed Djokovic a sniff on serve as he hit a double fault to allow Djokovic to close the gap from 40-0 down. But he couldn't capitalise as an attempt at a drop shot failed miserably. Alcaraz managed to survive. But so did Djokovic only just as he won three points in a row including a 120mph ace down the centre of the court helping him avoid a double break at 3-2 down.

But Alcaraz ramped it out as he headed towards closing the set. He produced the first love game of the contest. Alcaraz has not faced a break point since the fourth round with his serve completely dialled in. Djokovic held his serve dropping just one point as the come on to say to Alcaraz, come and serve it out.

Alcaraz answered the beckoning call as Djokovic tried whipping the crowd up to no avail. They responded with Novak chants but Alcaraz responded with an ace. His first of the semi-final with 125mph on the clock. He did so en route to taking the first set 6-4 in a set that took 48 minutes. A break of serve that proved vital in the context of the tie.

Tie-break turns into nightmare for Djokovic

Both were back at it pretty quickly. Alcaraz didn't break to begin set two as Djokovic came from 0-30 and held. Djokovic though was re-energised as he got a break point, the first one Alcaraz had since the Last 16. He broke with a superb lob and then a double backhand return from Alcaraz was long. Djokovic continued to rally as he held serve without dropping a point for 3-0. All four points were first serves in. Alcaraz's level dropped and he needed to find a way to preserve it.

It was more like it as Alcaraz's forehand managed to tick after a sixteen point rally with a passing flick. On break point, Djokovic hit the net and the momentum flicked as Alcaraz then held. It was continuous holds as Alcaraz made it 4-4. A lovely passing shot saw Alcaraz sail past Djokovic to move 40-0 up. Djokovic won the next two points to close the gap to 40-30. But Alcaraz sealed the game for 4-4.

Djokovic wasn't wilting though as despite opening with a double fault, he managed to weather a 27-ball rally. From 0-30 down, he won the next four points to hold serve as Alcaraz's unforced error count reached 25 to Djokovic's 17.