Djokovic now faces grand slam problem he created

Novak Djokovic has some plans to disrupt. If everyone at the US Open is looking ahead to a third consecutive grand slam final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, Djokovic believes he could yet have his say.

- JAMIE BRAIDWOOD IN NEW YORK

His road to a record 25th grand slam title will likely run through the two best players in the world, starting with Alcaraz in the semifinals tomorrow.

At 38, Djokovic has already defied what was considered possible, becoming the oldest man to reach all four grand slam semi-finals in the same season. It is, once again, testament to his longevity, but Djokovic does not turn up to grand slams to reach the semi-finals. The problem, yet again, is those who remain.

"Everybody is probably expecting and anticipating the finals between the two of them," Djokovic said. "I'm going to try to mess up the plans of most of the people."

Having defeated Taylor Fritz shortly before midnight in New York on Tuesday, Djokovic has had an extra day to prepare for facing Alcaraz in his semifinal. With Djokovic expecting to go the distance against the Spaniard, it could be decisive. He arrived at his semifinals against Sinner at the French Open and Wimbledon with his tank emptied by his previous efforts, while his body let him down at the semifinal stage against Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open, leading to his retirement after one set.