The 2025 US Open semifinals, set for Friday, September 5, in New York, feature three former champions and a surprise contender vying for two final spots. At 4:00 PM (Brasília time), Novak Djokovic, a four-time champion, faces Carlos Alcaraz, the 2022 winner, in their first-ever US Open clash. At 8:00 PM, the reigning champion and world number 1, Jannik Sinner, takes on Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, ranked 27th, who is chasing his first Grand Slam final. The matches, held at Arthur Ashe Stadium, will be broadcast live on Sportv, ESPN, and Disney+. Expectations are high, with Djokovic aiming for his 25th Slam title, Alcaraz targeting his sixth, Sinner seeking to maintain dominance, and Aliassime dreaming of a historic upset.
The Djokovic-Alcaraz showdown is the day’s highlight, pitting two tennis giants against each other. The 38-year-old Serbian brings the experience of 53 Grand Slam semifinals, while the 22-year-old Spaniard impresses with consistency, not dropping a set in the tournament. Meanwhile, Sinner, who dominated recent matches, faces an underdog Aliassime, who has previously beaten the Italian in head-to-head encounters.
Key matchups of the day:
Djokovic vs Alcaraz: their first US Open meeting, with a heated rivalry.
Sinner vs Aliassime: Italian aims to stay unbeaten; Canadian looks to upset.
Live broadcast: Sportv, ESPN, and Disney+ cover the matches in real-time.
Historic rivalry between Djokovic and Alcaraz
The Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz matchup is one of the most anticipated of the 2025 US Open. The Serbian leads their head-to-head 5-3, with notable wins like the 2024 Olympic final at Roland Garros, where he claimed the gold missing from his career. Alcaraz, however, shone in the 2023 and 2024 Wimbledon finals, proving he can challenge the Serbian legend in critical moments. This marks their first encounter at the US Open, adding a fresh twist to their rivalry.
Djokovic, currently world number 7, has shown resilience. Despite semifinal losses in the other three 2025 Grand Slams (Roland Garros and Wimbledon to Sinner, and Australia due to injury against Zverev), he defeated Taylor Fritz in a four-set quarterfinal, proving he remains a formidable force. Alcaraz, ranked number 2, arrives in top form after a convincing 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 win over Jiri Lehecka, without dropping a set.
Factors that could decide the match:
Djokovic’s experience in 53 Grand Slam semifinals.
Alcaraz’s physical form, having spent less time on court.
Recent head-to-head: Djokovic won the last two meetings, including the Olympic gold.
Hard court adaptation: both have a strong history on the US Open surface.
The Spaniard, aiming to reclaim the world number 1 ranking, is motivated to “take revenge” on Djokovic, while the Serbian vowed to “spoil the plans” of an expected Alcaraz-Sinner final, widely anticipated by fans.
Friday night in the big town going to be next-level. pic.twitter.com/5xSblCGzHs— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 4, 2025
Sinner’s quest for consistency
Jannik Sinner, the world number 1, enters the 2025 US Open semifinals as the favorite against Felix Auger-Aliassime. The Italian, who won the 2024 tournament, has an impressive Grand Slam record this year, reaching the finals of all three prior majors. He secured the Australian Open bicampeonato and the Wimbledon title but fell to Alcaraz in the Roland Garros final, despite holding three match points.
In his current campaign, Sinner dropped just one set, against Denis Shapovalov in the third round, and dominated his last two opponents, Alexander Bublik (6-1, 6-1, 6-1) and Lorenzo Musetti (6-1, 6-4, 6-2). His court efficiency is remarkable: he won 42 of 46 first-serve points against Musetti, a 91% success rate, and holds a streak of 31 service games without a break.
Sinner’s strengths:
Dominance on serve, with 10 aces and no double faults against Musetti.
Consistency on hard courts, with 26 consecutive Grand Slam wins on the surface.
Match rhythm: Sinner spent under 3h30 in his last two matches.
The Italian faces a different challenge against Aliassime, who has beaten him twice in three head-to-heads, though their last meeting, at the 2025 Cincinnati Open, was a 6-0, 6-2 Sinner rout.
Felix Auger-Aliassime’s surprise run
Felix Auger-Aliassime, 25, is the dark horse of the semifinals. Currently ranked 27th, the Canadian has rediscovered the form that saw him reach the top 6 in 2021 and 2022. He overcame tough opponents in the 2025 US Open, including Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, and Alex de Minaur, the latter in an epic four-hour, ten-minute match won 4-6, 7-6(7), 7-5, 7-6(4). His only other Grand Slam semifinal was in 2021, also at the US Open, where he lost to Daniil Medvedev.
Despite a favorable 2-1 head-to-head against Sinner, Aliassime faces a much-improved Italian in 2025. The Canadian acknowledged Sinner’s evolution, praising his consistency and powerful shots. Still, he remains confident after strong wins and believes he can replicate his 2021 upset over Alcaraz in the quarterfinals.
Highlights of Aliassime’s campaign:
Wins over Zverev, Rublev, and De Minaur, all ranked above him.
Resilience in long matches, like the four-hour battle against De Minaur.
Prior US Open semifinal experience in 2021.
Arthur Ashe Stadium stage
The semifinals will take place at the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium, with a capacity of 23,771 spectators. Known for its electric atmosphere, especially in night sessions, the stadium is a familiar stage for Alcaraz, the 2022 champion, but he’ll face pressure against Djokovic, a four-time winner in New York. Sinner, the defending champion, also thrives in the venue, while Aliassime chases his first final on such a grand stage.
The Djokovic-Alcaraz match, set for 4:00 PM (Brasília time), promises a lengthy, hard-fought battle given their history of tight encounters. Sinner and Aliassime take the court at 8:00 PM, with the Italian favored but the Canadian capable of an upset if he maintains his aggressive play from earlier rounds.
What to expect at Arthur Ashe Stadium:
Vibrant atmosphere, with mixed support for Djokovic and Alcaraz.
Night session favoring Sinner, who excelled against Musetti in the same slot.
23,771-capacity crowd adding pressure for Aliassime.
Expectations for the finals
The 2025 US Open semifinals are poised to shape the Grand Slam season’s outcome. Djokovic, with 24 titles, aims to extend his record and surpass Margaret Court. Alcaraz, with five trophies, seeks to solidify his status as the new generation’s leader and reclaim the world number 1 spot. Sinner, already with four Slams, targets a fifth, while Aliassime dreams of his first final.
Head-to-head rivalries add intrigue: Alcaraz and Sinner split their last two Grand Slam finals, while Djokovic has beaten both in key moments. Aliassime, though an underdog, has proven he can challenge top players. The mix of experience, youth, and talent promises unforgettable matches.
Prize money at stake:
Each semifinalist has secured $1.26 million.
The finalist will earn $2.5 million.
The champion will take home $3.6 million.
Schedule and broadcast
Brazilian fans can watch the semifinals live on Sportv, ESPN, and Disney+. The first match, Djokovic vs Alcaraz, starts at 4:00 PM (Brasília time), followed by Sinner vs Aliassime at 8:00 PM. The coverage includes detailed analysis and replays of key moments, spotlighting the rivalries among former champions and Aliassime’s rise.
Global audiences are expected to tune in, particularly for the Djokovic-Alcaraz clash, which could set the tone for Sunday’s final. Multiple broadcast platforms make it easy for Brazilian viewers to follow one of the tournament’s most exciting days.
Broadcast details:
Channels: Sportv, ESPN, and Disney+.
Schedule: 4:00 PM (Djokovic vs Alcaraz) and 8:00 PM (Sinner vs Aliassime).
Coverage: live analysis and real-time replays.
