Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz square off in the semifinals of the US Open on Friday, September 5. The match will start at 3 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN.
Find my US Open semifinals preview and Djokovic vs. Alcaraz prediction for Friday below.
Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz Prediction
- Djokovic vs. Alcaraz Pick: Under 37.5
My Djokovic vs. Alcaraz best bet is on the under. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live US Open odds page.
Djokovic vs. Alcaraz Odds
| Novak Djokovic Odds | -450 |
| Carlos Alcaraz Odds | +310 |
| Over/Under | 38.5 (-116 / -116) |
| Djokovic-Alcaraz H2H | 5-3 |
| Time | How to Watch | Friday, 3 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| Odds via DraftKings. For tips on how to watch US Open tennis, click here. | |
Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz Preview, Prediction
Djokovic Betting Preview
Djokovic has reached at least the semifinals of all four Grand Slams this season, but the veteran is still in search of his 25th major title.
He hasn't won a Grand Slam since this very tournament in 2023, and he faces an upward challenge with a matchup against Alcaraz in the semifinals and if he wins, likely Sinner in the final.
Djokovic's conditioning at age 38 is still better than most players, but this deep in a Grand Slam poses a unique challenge for someone who is more likely than his opponents to wear down at this stage.
But the expectations of winning aren't going anywhere for the Serbian.
"Everyone is anticipating each final between these two, so I will try to spoil most people's plans. Sinner still has to win a couple of matches to reach the final, but he is playing the best tennis of any player here, he has been the dominant force since the start of the tournament. I'm definitely not going out on court waving a white flag, I don't think anyone will, but particularly not me."
Alcaraz Betting Preview
Alcaraz hasn't exactly faced a difficult path to this point, clashing with Jiri Lehecka, Arthur Rinderknech, Luciano Darderi, Mattia Bellucci and Reilly Opelka (which is admittedly not an easy first-round match).
But the Spaniard tends to start slow in Grand Slams on occasion when the competition doesn't match his level.
That hasn't been the case in this event, as Alcaraz has yet to drop a set and has faced just eight break points in five matches.
In fact, beyond a tiebreaker with Opelka in the opening round, the sets haven't been particularly close. He's in fine form, and that's very bad news for Djokovic.
Djokovic vs. Alcaraz Predictions, Betting Analysis
Djokovic is the GOAT, but right now, the gap between Sinner and Alcaraz and the rest of tennis is significant.
Alcaraz hasn't dropped a set yet in this tournament and Djokovic just had a tough match against Taylor Fritz in the quarters.
In their last meeting in the Australian Open, Djokovic took Alcaraz to four sets, and that match cleared this number on the total. However, at Wimbledon in 2024, Alcaraz beat Djokovic in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2, 7-6, proving the substantial gap in their play at this point in their respective careers.
I expect something similar to that Wimbledon meeting, as I believe Alcaraz is not only the fresher player but is the much better player, despite the name of his opponent.
Pick: Under 37.5
