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Two 20-year-olds take the court fighting for a place in the final
Friday’s blockbuster US Open semi-finals are both a study in contrasts.

In the feature night match under lights, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz pits his explosive attacking game against the rock-solid defensive skills of World No. 3 Daniil Medvedev as both chase a second title at Flushing Meadows.

But first on Arthur Ashe Stadium, 20-year-old American Ben Shelton, who is competing in his first major semi-final, stakes his youth and devastating left-handed serve against the game's pre-eminent returner and Grand Slam titles record holder Novak Djokovic, 16 years his senior.

ATPTour.com looks ahead to the intriguing battles.

[1] Carlos Alcaraz vs. [3] Daniil Medvedev
After Carlos Alcaraz exploited his deep-court returning position with a series of serve/volley plays and signature drop shots in the Indian Wells final in March, Daniil Medvedev was asked pre-tournament in Miami if he would stand closer to return the next time he played the Spaniard. Not after one defeat, he responded. But maybe if the strategy failed multiple times.

Medvedev also stood deep during their Wimbledon semi-final in July and again paid the price. So will the 2021 US Open champion change up his beloved deep returning stance third time around this year in Friday's semi-finals at Flushing Meadows? Only time will tell, but Medvedev's return position will be an intriguing subplot of this battle.

But where to stand is hardly the only consideration Medvedev needs to weigh against the current World No. 1, who has won 24 of his past 25 matches at the majors and who boasts an endless repertoire with which to attack opponents.

“What makes him difficult is just that he has every shot. He has extra power [than] other players,” Medvedev said of Alcaraz. “Many players, probably 97 per cent, it's tough for them to hit the ball through me, I'm always there, always running, always trying to get it back. He can do it just because he has this power, we see 100 miles per hour forehand winners and stuff like this.

“He's good from forehand, backhand, he can slice, dropshot. So he has every shot in the game. But again, tennis, you can always beat players. People beat Novak. People even beat Rafa on clay, which is almost impossible but some players do. It's the same about Carlos.”

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In contrast to Alcaraz’s big-and-bold style, Medvedev showcases his ability to go into a stone-cold lockdown mode, resembling a brick wall as he wears down opponents with all-court coverage. The 27-year-old often takes a deep return position, which Alcaraz may counter with tactics such as serve-and-volleying or implementing drop shots to force Medvedev forward.

The 2021 US Open champion Medvedev will look to avenge his past two encounters with Alcaraz, who cruised in straight sets in this year’s Wimbledon semi-finals and in the Indian Wells title match.

“Last matches that I played against Daniil, I played a tactical game perfectly,” said Wimbledon champion Alcaraz. “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 in Indian Wells and at Wimbledon and hopefully get the win [by playing] the same level that I played in those matches.”

Following Medvedev’s quarter-final victory against longtime friend Andrey Rublev, he graded his performance a perfect 10 out of 10. The third seed, who has tallied a season-leading 37 hard-court victories, stated that he will have to find an even higher level to reach his fifth major final.

“It needs to be 11 out of 10 because that's how Carlos is, very strong,” Medvedev said. “Even here I think he lost one set but I watched some matches, sometimes on break points he runs for the passing shots. Incredible stuff.”

<a href='https://www.atptour.com/en/players/nova ... iew'>Novak Djokovic</a> is one win from a record-extending 10th <a href='https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/ ... erview'>US Open</a> final.
Novak Djokovic is one win from a record-extending 10th US Open final. Credit: Al Bello/Getty Images

Ben Shelton vs. [2] Novak Djokovic
On one side of the net you have Goliath, the Serbian Djokovic in his 47th major semi-final. Across from him will be David, Shelton, who turned pro a year ago and has quickly ascended to the Top 20 of the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings.

Djokovic has long been regarded as one of the best returners in the sport. His proficiency in that aspect will be crucial to handle Shelton’s devastating serve in their maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting. The 20-year-old has struck serves as fast as 149 mph — twice in the same game — this tournament.

“Ben has been serving some bombs this tournament,” Djokovic said. “When his serve is on, he is a very difficult player to play against, especially because he's lefty as well.”

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A three-time US Open titlist, Djokovic is methodical in how he approaches each opponent. There is no style of play the veteran has not encountered throughout his 20-year career. Aiming for a spot in his 36th major final, he can do damage with his polished groundstrokes or play top-tier defence behind the baseline to spiral his opponent into unforced errors.

Meanwhile, Shelton is a risk taker who is not afraid to live on the edge in big moments, no better example than in his quarter-final against countryman Frances Tiafoe, against whom the 2022 NCAA singles champion would sometimes strike a monstrous second serve to not allow his opponent any chance behind his delivery. Will Shelton keep that same fearlessness in the biggest match of his life?

“Definitely a tough challenge,” Shelton said of Djokovic. “I think that whenever you play somebody for the first time and someone who has been in this situation so many times and come out victorious so many times, that's in the back of your head. You just know how rock solid the guy is and how mentally tough, how physically tough. So that's definitely something that I have to game plan for.

“I also think that it's an advantage with my game style playing someone who's never played me before. I think that I can bring some things to the table that maybe you don't see in your normal match that you play on the ATP Tour. So I'm definitely going to try to bring some things to the table that are different and hopefully disruptive on Friday.”

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This fortnight is the first time Shelton has reached the semi-finals of a tour-level event, and he’s done so at his home Slam. He is the youngest American male to reach the last four at Flushing Meadows since Michael Chang in 1992.

Djokovic has won 30 consecutive matches against Americans, with his last loss coming at Wimbledon in 2016 (l. Querrey). He is also on a 10-match winning streak since his heartbreaking Wimbledon final loss to Alcaraz. The 36-year-old is aiming to become the oldest men’s champion at the US Open in the Open Era.

Did You Know?
Djokovic is one win away from reaching the final at all four majors in the same year for the third time in his career (2015, '21). He is also trying to win three Slams in the same year for the fourth time (2011, '15, '21).