Alcaraz beats Djokovic in 3 sets to reach the US Open final - ESPN

NEW YORK — Carlos Alcaraz used his youth, athleticism and creativity to assert himself against the much more accomplished, but also much older, Novak Djokovic and beat the 24-time major champion 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-2 at the US Open on Friday for a berth in his third consecutive Grand Slam final.

By the end, Djokovic was «gassed out,» as he described it afterward, and seemed resigned to the result. The 38-year-old from Serbia reached the semifinals at all four Slams this season but exited in that round each time, three via losses to No. 2 Alcaraz, 22, or No. 1 Jannik Sinner, 24.

«It's frustrating on the court when you are not able to keep up with that level physically, but at the same time, it's something also expected, I guess,» Djokovic said. «It comes with time and with age.»

Alcaraz will face either defending champion Sinner or No. 25 Felix Auger-Aliassime for the championship on Sunday, when President Donald Trump plans to attend. Sinner could become the first repeat men's champion in New York since Roger Federer won the hard-court tournament five years in a row from 2004 through 2008.

Alcaraz is seeking his sixth major title and second at Flushing Meadows. He defeated Sinner at the French Open in June and lost to his rival at Wimbledon in July.

Djokovic's bid to become the first player in the sport's history to get Slam No. 25 was blocked again, and he thinks part of the issue is trying to overcome much younger men in best-of-five set matches.

«I still want to play… (a) full Grand Slam season next year,» Djokovic said. «Let's see whether that's going to happen or not, but… Slams are Slams. They are just different from any other tournament. They are the pillars of our sport, the most important tournaments we have. But I