Carlos Alcaraz faces Novak Djokovic tomorrow in the semifinal of the US Open, looking to reach another Grand Slam final.
Alcaraz lost to Djokovic at the Australian Open, and he will get a chance to earn retribution for that defeat in Melbourne when the two players meet.
The Spaniard won an epic French Open final earlier this year against Jannik Sinner, but then relinquished control of his Wimbledon crown with the Italian getting his own back.
Jiri Lehecka was blown away by Alcaraz in the quarterfinal, and 24-time major winner Djokovic will have his work cut out in the last four.
Not that Alcaraz needs any help when it comes to winning matches, but he might just waltz straight into the office at Flushing Meadows and give the US Open organisers a big high-five based on the decision they have now made.
Carlos Alcaraz will be delighted with decision made by US Open
Alcaraz has been working hard in practice ahead of this tournament, and with a new, extremely sharp haircut on show, the Spaniard looks dialled in.
The physio was forced to treat Alcaraz in one of the matches that he’s played at the tournament, but he does look to be in good shape ahead of facing Djokovic.
Not only that, but it would appear that the US Open organisers have now looked after Alcaraz and given him his dream slot for his semifinal match.
Djokovic spoke in his press conference about preferring to play the last match in the night session, but the blockbuster semifinal has been picked for the day session.
That was always likely with Jannik Sinner and Felix Auger-Aliassime only playing yesterday, but it benefits Alcaraz nonetheless.
Djokovic would have relished not only the extra recovery time but also the opportunity to play when the temperature has dropped in the evening.
Juan Carlos Ferrero gets wish ahead of Carlos Alcaraz match with Novak Djokovic
After Alcaraz beat Lehecka in the quarterfinal, Ferrero suggested he wanted Alcaraz to play Djokovic in the daytime slot, and now he’s got his wish.
That should make his game plan absolutely on point for Alcaraz as he looks to get one over Djokovic after the Serbian sent him cruising out of the Australian Open.
Ultimately, given what Djokovic has achieved in the game means that he can’t be discounted from beating Alcaraz, but in the first game of the day, it’s going to favour the youngster.
With the US Open short on truly brilliant and memorable matches at this stage of the US Open, the hope will be that Alcaraz and Djokovic can serve up a classic when they take to the court tomorrow.
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