Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz score, results, highlights from 2025 US Open men's tennis semifinals

David Suggs

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Daniel Mader

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Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz score, results, highlights from 2025 US Open men's tennis semifinals image

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are known as two of tennis's greatest showmen. But in front of a raucous crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens on Friday, it was all Alcaraz.

The two stars met in the semifinals of the 2025 US Open, with Djokovic coming in strong following his victory over No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz. But the second-seeded Alcaraz was simply on fire entering Friday, having yet to drop a set in the tournament -- an unreal trend that continued with a 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 victory over Djokovic. 

The pair had met eight times in their careers previously, with Djokovic holding the 5-3 edge, but Alcaraz has been on another level at this year's US Open. With his straight-set victory Friday, Alcaraz moved onto his first US Open final since 2022, seeking to become the first men's player to ever win the tournament without even one lost set. Alcaraz now awaits either Jannik Sinner or Felix Auger-Aliassime in the final.

The Sporting News tracked live updates from Friday's match between Djokovic and Alcaraz, where it was Alcaraz who came out on top in quick fashion. Here's what you may have missed from the US Open semifinals match.

STREAM: Watch Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz live with Fubo (free trial)

Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz score

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Novak Djokovic46 (4)2xx
Carlos Alcaraz67(7)6xx

Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz updates, results, highlights from 2025 US Open semifinals

(All times Eastern)

5:40 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 Novak Djokovic: That'll do it. Carlos Alcaraz is onto the 2025 US Open Final, and it's a straight-set defeat for Novak Djokovic. Alcaraz has not yet lost a set in the tournament. If he can keep that going in the Final, he would become the first men's player to win the US Open without one losing set.

5:40 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 5-2 Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz makes quick work of Game 7 of the third set, and he's also on the verge of making quick work of this match. 

5:39 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 4-2 Novak Djokovic: Djokovic isn't quite done yet, as Alcaraz loses the game on a backhand forced error. 

5:33 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 4-1 Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz takes Game 5 with an ace, inching closer to moving onto the US Open Final.  

5:29 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 3-1 Novak Djokovic: Djokovic recorded a pair of double faults, seeing his serve broken. He looks lacking in confidence at the moment.

5:25 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 2-1 Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz gobbles up another service game. He's been dominant when the ball is on his stick.

5:20 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 1-1 Novak Djokovic: Djokovic responds with a service game win. He's still fighting.

5:15 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 0-1 Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz starts the third set like he ended the second, putting Djokovic in awkward positions en route to a first-game win.

Third set

5:12 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) Novak Djokovic: Djokovic's return goes wide! Alcaraz takes the point and the set! He's got a two-set lead over the Serbian.

5:11 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-6 (6-4) Novak Djokovic: Another booming Alcaraz serve evades Djokovic's reach. He's one game away.

5:10 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-6 (5-4) Novak Djokovic: Djokovic moves one game closer with a strong point. The crowd is on their feet here at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

5:09 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-6 (5-3) Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz responds with a point of his own. He's two points away from a second set win.

5:08 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-6 (4-3) Novak Djokovic: Wondrous drop shot from Alcaraz brings out an even better one from Djokovic, who moves one point short of tying things up in the tiebreaker.

5:07 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-6 (4-2) Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz misses an easy forehand. That gives Djokovic some life.

5:06 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-6 (4-1) Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz back in control with a 4-1 lead. Not looking great for Djokovic.

5:05 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-6 (3-1) Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz responds with a quick point via a Djokovic unforced error.

5:03 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-6 (2-1) Novak Djokovic: Gutsy stuff from Djokovic, who delivers a drop shot that had Alcaraz scrambling. Alcaraz responded with a drop shot of us his own, bringing out the lob from Djokovic, who got his effort high enough to secure the point.

5:02 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-6 (2-0) Novak Djokovic: It's hard to stop Alcaraz on his serve. He nabs another point to give himself a little distance in the tiebreaker.

5:01 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-6 (1-0) Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz gets first blood, besting Djokovic's serve.

5:00 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-6 Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz takes yet another service game. We're on to a tiebreaker.

4:55 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 5-6 Novak Djokovic: Djokovic records another perfect game and moves one game closer of a set victory. Let's see if Alcaraz can use his wondrous serve to set up a tiebreaker

4:53 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 5-5 Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz ties it up...again. We're headed for a barnburner in the final few games of the second set.

4:47 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 4-5 Novak Djokovic: Djokovic rallies from 0-30 down to take the game. He's one game away from leveling the score at one set apiece.

4:42 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 4-4 Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz holds serve to knot the score at four games apiece in the second set. Djokovic worked his way back from an 0-40 hole. But he wasn't able to hold off Alcaraz, who spiked a fastball beyond the Serbian's reach.

4:36 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 4-3 Novak Djokovic: Djokovic stops the bleeding with a perfect seventh-game victory. He needed that one.

4:34 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 3-3 Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz looks to have warded off Djokovic's best attack. He levels the set at three with a violent forehand and sumptuous drop shot in back-to-back points. Now, Djokovic is back under pressure.

4:29 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 2-3 Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz breaks Djokovic's serve to climb back into the set. The quality of tennis has gone up. a level in recent games. Alcaraz's wicked backhand danced along the sideline past a sprawling Djokovic. The Serbian could do little more than applaud his adversary.

4:25 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 1-3 Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz stems the tide with a service game win. He's off the board in the second set.

4:20 p.m. Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 0-3 Novak Djokovic: Djokovic has won three straight games to start the set. This old dog still has new tricks. We'll see if Alcaraz can make any adjustments to quell Djokovic's rhythm.

4:17 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 0-2 Novak Djokovic: Djokovic breaks Alcaraz's serve! He's equal to Alcaraz's efforts, delivering a lobbed attempt to keep the Spaniard on his toes. Alcaraz was unable to corral his ensuing forehand, which strayed beyond the end line to give Djokovic a momentous game. He's animated as he strides back to his coaching box. Can you blame him?

4:15 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 0-1 Novak Djokovic: Djokovic found his rhythm in the first game of the second set, climbing out of an 0-30 hole to take the first game.

Second set

4:12 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-Novak Djokovic 4: Alcaraz takes the first set, using his booming serve to put Djokovic in trouble. First strike goes to the 22-year old Spaniard.

4:10 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 5-Novak Djokovic 4: Alcaraz surrenders a game at Djokovic's expense. He needs another one to fully get back into the match.

4:05 p.m.: Carlos Alaraz 5-Novak Djokovic 3: Alcaraz breaks Djokovic's serve. He's one stop away from landing a momentous first set victory.

3:55 p.m.: Carlos Alvarez 4-Novak Djokovic 3: The Serb notches another win against Alcaraz. This is especially notable, with Alcaraz surrendering his break as a result.

3:48 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 4-Novak Djokovic 2: Alcaraz collects another game after overwhelming Djokovic with his serve.

3:45 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 3-Novak Djokovic 2: Djokovic claims his second game of the set after Alcaraz's drop shot crashes into the net.

3:42 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 3-Novak Djokovic 1: Alcaraz responds with a flurry, doing just enough to best Djokovic in the ensuing game. The 38-year old did paint the corner with a backhand, though.

3:40 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 2-Novak Djokovic 1: The Serb gets one back, saving Alcaraz's break point before ripping a 124 mph serve past his adversary. Djokovic is officially on the board.

3:39 p.m: Carlos Alcaraz 2-Novak Djokovic 0: Alcaraz holds serve after launching a pair of serves wide of Djokovic's range.

3:37 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 1-Novak Djokovic 0: Alcaraz quickly broke Djokovic's serve, capitalizing on a few unruly efforts from the Serbian.

First set

3:35 p.m.: And we're off! The first men's semifinal is underway!

3:25 p.m.: As a reminder, Djokovic leads the all-time series vs. Alcaraz, 5-3. He has yet to lose to the Spaniard on a hard court.

3:15 p.m.: After hours of waiting, Djokovic and Alcaraz are finally out on the court. Expect fireworks from Arthus Ashe Stadium this afternoon.

How to watch Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz

  • TV channel: ESPN, Tennis Channel
  • Live stream: Fubo, ESPN+

Djokovic and Alcaraz's duel will air on ESPN and Tennis Channel nationally. Cord-cutters can follow the action on ESPN+ and Fubo, which offers a free trial.

MORE: What to know about Carlos Alcaraz's net worth, career earnings

What time does Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz start?

  • Date: Friday, Sept. 5
  • Time: 3 p.m. ET

Friday's semifinal match between Djokovic and Alcaraz is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. ET. Like all other US Open matches, Friday's joust will take place at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York.

MORE: Breaking down the historic prize money at the 2025 US Open

US Open 2025 tennis schedule

Here's a look ahead at the final week of action at the 2025 US Open. 

EventsDate
Men's Semifinals, Women's Doubles FinalsFriday, September 5
Women's Finals, Men's Doubles FinalSaturday, September 6
Men's FinalsSunday, September 7

MORE: Breaking down Carlos Alcaraz's Grand Slam tournament history

David Suggs

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.

Daniel Mader

Daniel Mader is a Content Producer for The Sporting News. He joined SN in 2024 as an editorial intern following graduation from Penn State University. He has previously written for Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports, the Centre Daily Times, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Daily Collegian and LancasterOnline. Daniel grew up in Lancaster, Penn., with a love for baseball that’ll never fade, but could also talk basketball or football for days.