The 2025 US Open, the final Grand Slam of the season, kicked off its semifinals on Thursday, September 4, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, featuring thrilling matchups in both the men’s and women’s draws. In the men’s competition, Novak Djokovic takes on Carlos Alcaraz, while Jannik Sinner faces Felix Auger-Aliassime, with the ATP ranking lead at stake. In the women’s draw, reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka battles Jessica Pegula, and Naomi Osaka meets Amanda Anisimova, both aiming for another Major title. The matches, scheduled for Thursday and Friday, promise intense action, broadcast live on ESPN, SporTV, and Disney+. The tournament, culminating in the women’s final on Saturday and the men’s on Sunday, captivates global audiences with its rivalries and technical brilliance.
The tournament’s final stages highlight established stars and rising talents. While Djokovic, with 24 Grand Slam titles, chases his 25th, Alcaraz and Sinner, the new generation, intensify their fight for the top ranking. On the women’s side, Sabalenka aims for a repeat title, and Osaka, in a remarkable comeback, eyes another triumph. Below are the key highlights of the semifinals.
Men’s draw: Rivalries and ambitions
The men’s draw features a highly anticipated clash: Novak Djokovic versus Carlos Alcaraz, set for Friday at 4:00 PM (Brasília time). The Serbian, currently ranked world number 7, defeated Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals, while the Spaniard, ranked second, overcame Jiri Lehecka 3-0. This matchup revisits historic battles, like the 2023 Wimbledon final, promising technical and mental intensity.
- Djokovic has 24 Grand Slam titles, including four US Open wins (2011, 2015, 2018, 2023).
- Alcaraz, with two Majors (US Open 2022 and Roland Garros 2025), aims to close the gap to Sinner in the rankings.
- Djokovic leads their head-to-head 5-3.
- The match could be pivotal for Alcaraz’s confidence as he seeks to reclaim the top ranking.
In the other men’s semifinal, Jannik Sinner takes on Felix Auger-Aliassime at 8:00 PM on Friday. The Italian, world number 1, defeated Lorenzo Musetti in the quarters, while the Canadian, a tournament surprise, eliminated Alex de Minaur. Sinner, the reigning US Open champion, has five Grand Slam titles and aims to solidify his top spot. Auger-Aliassime, ranked 27th, is in his best New York run since 2021.
Women’s draw: Champions chasing glory
The women’s semifinals began on Thursday, with Aryna Sabalenka facing Jessica Pegula at 8:00 PM. Sabalenka, world number 1, advanced after Marketa Vondrousova’s withdrawal, while Pegula defeated Barbora Krejcikova in straight sets. The Belarusian, champion in 2024, seeks a repeat, while Pegula, a 2024 semifinalist, aims for her first Grand Slam final.
- Sabalenka has one US Open title and was runner-up at Roland Garros and the Australian Open in 2025.
- Pegula, ranked 4th, defeated Sabalenka in the 2025 Cincinnati final.
- Their head-to-head is tied at two wins each.
At 9:10 PM, Naomi Osaka faces Amanda Anisimova in a generational clash. Osaka, champion in 2018 and 2020, defeated Coco Gauff in the quarters, while Anisimova, ranked 9th, ousted Iga Swiatek. The Japanese, undefeated in Major semifinals, seeks her third New York final. Anisimova, after reaching the 2025 Wimbledon final, is in top form.
Path to the semifinals
The semifinalists reached this stage through standout performances. Djokovic overcame players like Taylor Fritz, while Alcaraz secured convincing victories. Sinner, despite a physical scare in Cincinnati, dominated Musetti, and Auger-Aliassime stunned Zverev and Rublev. On the women’s side, Sabalenka faced minimal resistance, while Pegula showed consistency against Krejcikova. Osaka and Anisimova upset favorites Gauff and Swiatek, raising the competitive bar.
- Alcaraz won 80% of his hard-court matches in 2025.
- Djokovic boasts a 90% tiebreak win rate at the US Open.
- Sabalenka leads the tour with 45 wins this season.
- Osaka has 12 consecutive victories against top-10 players in Majors.
Ranking impact and prize money
The men’s ranking lead is on the line. Jannik Sinner, with 11,480 points, could be overtaken by Carlos Alcaraz, who has 9,590, if the Spaniard outperforms him. Djokovic, though not in the top tier, could climb to the podium with a final or title. In the women’s rankings, Sabalenka solidifies her lead, while Osaka and Anisimova could enter the top 5 with strong showings.
- Champion’s prize: $3.6 million (men’s and women’s singles).
- Runner-up: $1.8 million.
- Semifinalists: $1 million.
- Total tournament prize: $75 million, a historic record.
The record-breaking prize money underscores the tournament’s prestige, drawing the world’s top players with rising payouts each year.
Side stories and curiosities
Beyond the matchups, the 2025 US Open delivered compelling stories. João Fonseca, a 19-year-old Brazilian, reached the round of 16 in his debut, while Bia Haddad, despite a quarterfinal exit, cemented her status as Brazil’s number 1. The tournament also featured mixed doubles during Fan Week, with stars like Alcaraz and Djokovic, drawing huge crowds.
- Fonseca defeated Jack Kennedy, marking Brazil’s best US Open run since Guga Kuerten.
- The mixed doubles format, with 16 teams, was completed in two nights.
- The Arthur Ashe Stadium saw a record 740,000 attendees through the semifinals.
Broadcast and fan access
The semifinal matches are broadcast live on ESPN, SporTV, and Disney+, with full coverage starting at 12:00 PM (Brasília time). The evening session, from 8:00 PM, highlights key matches at Arthur Ashe Stadium. For fans in New York, tickets range from $150 to $1,000, with final packages sold out.
- Broadcast channels: ESPN, SporTV, Disney+.
- Times: 12:00 PM (day session) and 8:00 PM (night session).
- Streaming platforms offer 4K coverage.
The 2025 US Open cements its status as a premier sporting event, blending historic rivalries, young talents, and record prize money. The semifinals promise unforgettable matches, with Djokovic, Alcaraz, Sabalenka, and Osaka in the spotlight.