NEW YORK: Carlos Alcaraz beat 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic in straight sets on Friday to reach his second US Open final, where he could face reigning champion Jannik Sinner.
Alcaraz won 6-4, 7-6 , 6-2 to reel off his 36th victory in his last 37 matches. His only loss in that time came to Sinner in the Wimbledon final.
The 22-year-old Spaniard is seeking his sixth major and second in New York after winning the title in 2022. He will play top-ranked Sinner or Canadian 25th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in Sunday’s final.
“It’s a great feeling. Once again in the final here in the US Open, it feels amazing. It means lot to me,” said Alcaraz.
“It wasn’t the best level of the tournament for me, but I just keep a good level from the beginning to the last point. I served really well today, it was important.”
The defeat for Djokovic marked his fourth straight semifinal loss at a Grand Slam and foiled the 38-year-old’s bid to become the oldest major champion.
Alcaraz grabbed a break to open the match as Djokovic pushed a forehand long and the Spaniard had a chance to go a double break in front, cranking up the heat on the Serbian’s serve.
Djokovic escaped further trouble but the damage was done as Alcaraz secured the set with a couple of clutch serves as both players were still searching for their best level.
After sparring with the crowd during his quarter-final win over Taylor Fritz, Djokovic had the majority of those inside Arthur Ashe Stadium urging him on as he landed his first proper blow.
A fired-up Djokovic broke Alcaraz and surged into a 3-0 lead to start the second set, but a sublime flicked passing shot that drew applause from his rival offered a way back in for the Spaniard.
He pulled level at 3-3 before Djokovic ended a three-game skid. Alcaraz let an opportunity slip when he pegged Djokovic 0-30 down in the ninth game, with a tie-break eventually required.
Alcaraz ran up a 4-1 advantage and held Djokovic off, hitting a booming serve to earn two set points and strengthening his grip on the contest when the Serbian sent a looping backhand return wide.
Djokovic summoned the trainer between sets and his energy appeared to be waning.
Two double faults gifted Alcaraz a break for a 3-1 lead in the third set and the writing was on the wall for Djokovic, whose latest bid for a record 25th Grand Slam ended with a whimper.
Alcaraz downs Djokovic to reach US Open final
https://arab.news/jpjyn
Alcaraz downs Djokovic to reach US Open final
FIA’s United Against Online Abuse campaign welcomes Palestinian student
- Ghada Ashour, 24, who grew up in Gaza, becomes fifth scholar selected for FIA’s flagship scholarship initiative
DUBAI: The FIA’s United Against Online Abuse campaign has welcomed Ghada Ashour, a 24-year-old student from Palestine, to its flagship scholarship program, created to empower the next generation of researchers in the fight against online abuse in sport.
Ashour grew up in Gaza where she had been studying remotely until gaining a place on the UAOA scholarship, which brought her to Dublin City University, Ireland.
Becoming the fifth scholar to join the program, she was selected based on her interests in social media, and passion for advancing insights in this area for the benefit of sportspeople.
Launched in 2023, the program offers talented students and young professionals from diverse backgrounds the chance to engage in research on the impact, prevalence, and prevention of online abuse in sport.
Funded by the FIA Foundation, the UAOA scholars have been selected to undertake research dedicated to positive social change.
Ashour’s thesis, which will be printed in English and Arabic, will focus specifically on the relationship between athlete activism and online abuse.
Athletes increasingly speak out on war, conflict, and social and environmental issues. Although the attention such athletes bring can be positive, research indicates it can lead to significant abuse.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, founder of the UAOA campaign, said: “The FIA is committed to extending opportunities across the world while inspiring and developing the next generation.
“Education lies at the core of this mission, and I am pleased to welcome Ghada as the latest student in the UAOA Scholarship Programme.
“Her experience and research will help broaden the international perspective on this critical issue. This pioneering research program will help ensure we safeguard the future of sport for generations to come.”
Ashour said she was “truly grateful” to the FIA leader: “It is a dream come true to study the subject I am passionate about at a leading institution in this field.
“I am so excited to advance the field of research in online abuse in sport and to contribute to this prevalent topic which is impacting so many people’s lives on a daily basis.”
The UAOA’s 2025 Barometer Report found that 75 percent of sports federations report continued threats against competitors and their families, and that 90 percent believe abuse could force athletes to leave their sport.
Dublin City University is a leading academic institution in the study of online abuse.
Each scholar is fully funded and mentored by leading experts in the field. They are able to attend UAOA events, where they can share their findings with a global audience of policymakers, sports federations, and digital platforms.
The inaugural cohort of four UAOA scholars included participants from Italy, South Africa, the UK, and Mexico.
