Men’s US Open semi-final tips and predictions: Alcaraz to reach the final

The men’s US Open semi-finals feature the best three players on the planet and an up-and-coming American in Ben Shelton, who will have full support from a vocal Arthur Ashe crowd.

But deep down most fans will be hoping to see a repeat of the recent Wimbledon and Cincinnati finals, with Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic going toe-to-toe for the title.

For that to happen, defending champion Alcaraz must overcome 2021 winner Daniil Medvedev while Djokovic has to end home hopes by stopping Shelton.

Alcaraz claimed his second grand slam title with victory in London SW19 before a motivated Djokovic got some revenge in Cincinnati, and everything points to the big two’s fledgling rivalry to resume in New York on Sunday.

Men’s US Open semi-final tips

• Carlos Alcaraz to win 3-1 v Daniil Medvedev @ 11/4 with bet365
• Novak Djokovic to win and over 30.5 games v Ben Shelton @ 11/10 with bet365

The above odds are courtesy of bet365, correct at the time of publishing and subject to change.

Alcaraz still on course for successful title defence

The Spanish sensation has gone from strength to strength since claiming his maiden grand slam title at last year’s US Open, adding six titles in a season in which he has lost only six of his 59 matches.

Alcaraz is only 20 but plays with a maturity beyond his years and he appears to have mastered every shot in the sport, making him a formidable talent.

He has also been able to translate his best game to every surface, which is highlighted by July’s Wimbledon triumph, although it is evident he remains at his most devastating on a hard court.

The very hot and humid conditions in New York do not seem to have impacted Alcaraz and he has made fairly routine progress into the semi-finals.

The top seed has dropped only one set, against Dan Evans in the third round, and he made light work of the excellent Alexander Zverev in their quarter-final, triumphing 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

However, for Zverev that match came on the back of a five-set thriller against Jannik Sinner so he was surely feeling some effects from that.

Medvedev, meanwhile, is the true definition of a hard-court specialist and has claimed 18 of his 20 titles on the surface, four of them this year.

The Russian is also one of the best returners in the game and has an ability to stay long in rallies, something that should ensure he remains competitive.

That said, Medvedev’s straight-sets quarter-final win over Andrey Rublev was pretty deceptive as total points won were only 103-95 in his favour.

So while the third seed should compete and may fare better than when he lost 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 to Alcaraz at Wimbledon earlier this summer, a comfortable 3-1 victory for the Spaniard is still the preferred bet.

Tip: Carlos Alcaraz to win 3-1 v Daniil Medvedev @ 11/4 with bet365

Experienced Djokovic should come to the fore

Barring a rare blip against compatriot Laslo Djere in the third round when Djokovic was forced to come from two sets down, it has been plain sailing for the 23-time grand slam champion.

The super Serb has won his other four matches in straight sets, which includes outclassing home hope Taylor Fritz 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 in their quarter-final.

However, having lost all seven previous meetings, Fritz had some battle scars and Djokovic may be provided a tougher test by younger American Shelton.

The Atlanta-born 20-year-old is enjoying a remarkable season, having made the Australian Open quarter-finals at the start of the year, and he has built on that by making the final four in New York.

Shelton is very much a star of the future and has looked in superb touch in overcoming Aslan Karatsev, Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe on his way to the semi-finals.

His big serve, which was twice clocked at 149 mph in his victory against Paul, is a potent weapon and makes him difficult to break, particularly early on.

With that in mind, Djokovic may have to work harder for his rewards than many anticipate and backing him to win and the contest to feature at least 31 games makes plenty of appeal.

Tip: Novak Djokovic to win and over 30.5 games v Ben Shelton @ 11/10 with bet365

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