Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic on 'level of their own' says Alexander Zverev at US Open - 'Other guys gotta catch up'
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Updated 07/09/2023 at 09:56 GMT
Alexander Zverev couldn't prevent Carlos Alcaraz moving into the US Open semi-finals as he was beaten in straight sets by the world No. 1. Alcaraz could meet Novak Djokovic in the final and Zverev thinks the pair are the best around right now. Alcaraz also spoke about how he feels "more mature" than last year when he won the US Open and is a "totally different player".
Zverev tells Alcaraz 'go win it' after defeat, Keys also through to semis
Alexander Zverev believes Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are on a “level of their own” right now and “the other guys gotta catch up”.
Zverev couldn’t halt Alcaraz’s US Open title defence as he was beaten in straight sets by the Spaniard in the quarter-finals.
A showdown in the final between Alcaraz and Djokovic - the two dominant players on the ATP Tour this season – now looms.
The pair have shared all three Grand Slams so far this year and have lost just 11 matches combined over the season.
“I played Novak in Cincinnati, I played Carlos here. I think they are very, very similar from the level of the game," said Zverev about the ATP’s leading duo.
"There are some things that Novak does better; there are some things that Carlos does better.
“I think they are at a level of their own at the moment. The other guys gotta catch up. That's as simple as that.”
The head-to-head rivalry between Djokovic and Alcaraz is currently locked at 2-2.
Standing in the way of a fifth meeting between the pair are Daniil Medvedev and Ben Shelton.
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Carlos Alcaraz
Image credit: Getty Images
Alcaraz was reluctant to look ahead to another clash with Djokovic, with former US Open champion Medvedev up next in the semis.
“Obviously it's closer than the beginning of the tournament,” Alcaraz said.
“It would be great to play a final against Novak here in New York, but both of us have really tough semi-finals, so let's see. But obviously both of us are looking for that potential final.”
Alcaraz leads the head-to-head record 2-1 against Medvedev and has won both of their meetings this year in straight sets.
“The last matches that I played against Daniil, I played a perfect tactical game,” he said.
“I did pretty well all the things that I had to do against him, so I think my game suits pretty well against that type of opponent, like Daniil.
“So I’m going to try to do the same things that I did, for example, in Indian Wells and in Wimbledon, and hopefully to get the win and play the same level that I played in that matches.”
Alcaraz won his first Grand Slam title at last year’s US Open and became the youngest No. 1 in ATP history.
A year on he has added another Grand Slam after winning Wimbledon and has established himself as arguably the best player in the world.
Asked what has changed the most for him from 12 months ago, he said: “I think I'm more mature now. I grew up a lot since last year.
“Last year I was facing my first semi-final of a Grand Slam. Now I'm facing my fourth one. I feel like I'm a totally different player.
“Doesn't matter that last year I got my first Grand Slam, I won my first semi-final, final of Grand Slam. I feel like I'm more mature. I deal better with the pressure with that kind of moments.
“I feel like I'm different, different person and different player.”
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