PREVIEW | 2023 US Open Men's Semi-Final: ALCARAZ v MEDVEDEV - Can former champion stop dream final?

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Friday, 08 September 2023 at 23:58
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In our second men's preview, Carlos Alcaraz will take on Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals of the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York.
Top seed Alcaraz has been successful so far in his quest to defend his US Open title. The Spaniard flew past Lloyd Harris and Matteo Arnaldi in straight sets, only dropping one set in-between during his third-round clash with Dan Evans.
Alcaraz then took on twelfth seed Alexander Zverev in the quarter-final, once again sweeping past him in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. This saw him level his head-to-head with the German and booked him a spot in the semi-final.
Meanwhile, third seed Medvedev won his match against Sebastian Baez in straight sets but dropped one set each in his clashes with Christopher O'Connell in the second round and thirteenth seed Alex de Minaur in the fourth round.
Nevertheless, the Russian is yet to be taken to five sets and swept past his compatriot and eighth seed Andrey Rublev in their quarter-final face-off with a straight sets victory, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.

Alcaraz leads head-to-head

The two-time Grand Slam champion narrowly leads their head-to-head 2-1, with two victories against the 27-year-old this year. The most recent of these came in the semi-finals of Wimbledon, where eventual champion Alcaraz ousted Medvedev in straight sets 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
Before this, the 20-year-old defeated Medvedev on the hard courts in the final of the ATP Masters Indian Wells. He also won in straight sets there, 6-3, 6-2.
Medvedev's one victory against Alcaraz was also a straight-sets win, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2. This was at Wimbledon 2021 before the young star had reached his full potential.

Battle of former champions

This match will be a thrilling showdown between two former champions of the US Open, with Alcaraz defending his title and Medvedev having won the New York major in 2021.
While both will be determined to reach the final, Alcaraz may be the better-rested of the two, as Medvedev looked physically exhausted after his match against Rublev in Arthur Ashe Stadium, where temperatures reached a height of 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This could lead him to make more unforced errors after having committed nine double faults in the quarter-finals.
Moreover, Alcaraz's variety of shots, footwork, and clever decisions could give him the edge over Medvedev in this match.
Prediction: Carlos Alcaraz to win in four sets.

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