World No 1 Jannik Sinner will take on Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday's US Open final in what will be the latest instalment in what is already a scintillating rivalry between the duo.
Sinner was not at his flowing best against Felix Auger-Aliassime but eventually came through in four sets, beating the Canadian 25th seed 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Earlier on Friday, world No 2 Alcaraz swept aside 24-time Grand Slam champion 6-4, 7-6, 6-2 at Flushing Meadows and will now take on Sinner in a historic third straight major showpiece.
It is honours even so far this year with Alcaraz coming out on top in an unforgettable decider at the French Open while Sinner was triumphant when the pair clashed on Centre Court at Wimbledon.
Sinner's Slam record is nothing short of remarkable in 2025, winning 26 of his 27 matches in a campaign that has also seen him retain the Australian Open crown.
He becomes just the eighth man ever to reach all four Slam finals in one season and the youngest in the open era, while the 24-year-old's hard-court winning streak at the majors of 27 matches has equalled Djokovic’s best with only Federer now ahead of him.
Sinner, who can win a fifth slam overall and fourth in the last five majors, said: “Amazing season, obviously. The Grand Slams are the most important tournaments and finding myself again in the final, with an amazing crowd, it does not get any better.
“It was a very tough match today but obviously I’m very happy. Let’s see what coming. Sunday is going to be a very special occasion. We know each other very well.”
After securing the opener, Sinner seemed to struggling with an injury in the second set as against Auger-Aliassime fought back to level the scores.
After taking a medical timeout, apparently for an abdominal problem, Sinner returned for the third set and recovered his momentum without clicking into top gear, going on to seal victory.
He will face Alcaraz at the US Open for the second time. Their first encounter in the 2022 quarter-finals was a seismic battle won by Alcaraz that has come to shape their rivalry.
“Sunday is a very special day and an amazing final again,” said Sinner, who insisted that his injury was “nothing too bad”.
“We'll see what's coming,” he added. I feel like our rivalry started here playing an amazing match [in 2022]. We are two different players now, with different confidence too.
“We've played each other a lot, we know each other very well.
“He's someone who pushed me to limit, which is great, because you have the best feedback you can have as a player. We've faced each other quite a lot now lately, so things are getting a little bit different.
“It's nice … it's great for the sport having rivalries, having hopefully great matches.”
Auger-Aliassime was trying to reach his first Grand Slam final after making the last four for the first time since his run to the same stage in New York in 2021.
“I don't have regrets. I played my way. I played my game. You know, you kind of live and die with your choices,” he said.
Spanish second seed Alcaraz, meanwhile, produced a ruthlessly efficient display to end Djokovic's latest bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title.
The 22-year-old five-time Grand Slam winner has not dropped a set en route to the final but still believes he has room for improvement.
“Beating Novak is always special. But I don't feel like I've won anything more than a Grand Slam semi-final,” Alcaraz said after downing the 38-year-old Djokovic. “It was an important match, but it was just a ticket to the final.”
Djokovic said he plans to chase more Grand Slams next year, but admitted he was no longer physically capable of matching Alcaraz and Sinner.
“I'm happy with my level of tennis, but you know, it's just the physicality of it,” Djokovic said after his exit. “That's something I, unfortunately at this point in time in my career, can't control.”
On Saturday, the women's singles final will be decided when defending champion and world number Aryna Sabalenka faces American eighth seed Amanda Anisimova.
