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Djokovic aims to ‘mess up’ Sinner-Alcaraz plans at US Open | The Express Tribune
NEW YORK:
Novak Djokovic is in the unfamiliar role of spoiler as he tries to get in the way of a third straight Grand Slam final between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion is the underdog going into Friday’s semi-final against Alcaraz but Djokovic is in no mood to concede to his much younger rival despite fears over his ageing body.
World number one and reigning US Open champion Sinner meanwhile is heavily fancied to beat Canadian 25th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime and reach his fifth successive Grand Slam final.
AFP Sport takes a look at the men’s two semi-finals (x denotes seeding):
Carlos Alcaraz (ESP x2) v Novak Djokovic (SRB x7)
Alcaraz has won 35 of his last 36 matches, storming into the semi-finals without dropping a set at Flushing Meadows.
Djokovic though beat him in four sets in the Australian Open quarter-finals this year and denied him gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 38-year-old Djokovic has reached the last four at all four majors this year but has found his hopes compromised by his health, retiring with injury in Melbourne and struggling physically in his Wimbledon loss.
While his strict nutritional regime and holistic approach, core to which is yoga and meditation, is well documented and key to his longevity, he is crossing his fingers he can still withstand the strain of a demanding two-week event.
“You know, nowadays (I am) more concerned than I have ever been,” Djokovic said of his physical state earlier in the tournament.
However, his mindset is as resolute as ever.
“I definitely am not going with a white flag on the court,” he said.
“Everybody is probably expecting and anticipating the finals between the two of them (Sinner and Alcaraz). I’m going to try to, you know, mess up the plans of most of the people.”
Alcaraz is eager to avenge his last two losses to Djokovic, who is 5-3 lifetime against the 23-year-old Spaniard.
“Novak, we all know Novak’s game… It doesn’t matter that he has been out of the Tour since Wimbledon,” said Alcaraz.
“I know I played a lot of times against him. I really want revenge. That’s obvious.”
Jannik Sinner (ITA x1) v Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN x25)
Sinner is aiming to become the first man to successfully defend the US Open crown since Roger Federer won the last of five consecutive titles in 2008.
He has captured the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles this season but lost to Alcaraz in an epic five-set battle in the French Open final.
Sinner has won his last 26 Grand Slam matches on hard courts and it will take a Herculean effort from Auger-Aliassime to upset the Italian top seed.
Auger-Aliassime has triumphed in two of three previous meetings but Sinner thrashed him for the loss of just two games in Cincinnati last month.
“It’s going to be completely different, because, you know, conditions here are different. He had some big wins, so big confidence boost for him,” said Sinner.
“Because (it’s a) Grand Slam, the energy and everything is going to be different.”
Auger-Aliassime has had to put his wedding plans to one side after making it to his second US Open semi-final.
The 25-year-old is in the last four of a Grand Slam for time since 2021 after matching that run at Flushing Meadows this fortnight.
“The biggest challenges are yet to come, but that’s what I live for, that’s what I train for,” said Auger-Aliassime.
He will likely have to postpone a wedding suit fitting scheduled for Monday and top of the to-do list is devising a gameplan to unseat Sinner.
“I mean, strengths and weaknesses… Jannik, not many strengths, huh? A lot of weaknesses in his game,” joked Auger-Aliassime.
“What to say about Jannik’s game? He’s been obviously untouchable at times.
“Honestly, the next match I’m not really going to focus on my opponent more than myself.”
Today is a very important and decisive clash between India and Pakistan to reach the semi-finals in the Under-19 World Cup 2026.
This important match will be played today, Sunday, in Zimbabwe, which will start at 12:30 pm according to Pakistani time and 1 pm according to Indian time.
This match is the last match of the Super Six stage and one team is yet to be decided for the semi-finals, England from Group 2 has already qualified for the semi-finals, while the other team will be India or Pakistan.
India is currently in a better position with six points and its net run rate is 3.337, it is very easy for India, it only has to win the match and it will qualify for the semi-finals.
But on the other hand, Pakistan has four points and its net run rate is 1.484, which is significantly lower than India. Pakistan not only needs to win this match but also by a large margin to equal India in points and also surpass them in net run rate.
If Pakistan scores 300 runs batting first, it will need to win by at least 85 runs. If Pakistan bowls first and restricts India to around 200 runs, the target will have to be achieved in 31.5 overs.
If India scores 251 runs, Pakistan will have to achieve this target in around 33.2 overs to make it to the semi-finals.
It should be noted that this match will not be just about winning or losing but will be a test of runs, overs and nerves where a small slip-up can knock one team out of the World Cup.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The judge in Alabama men’s basketball player Charles Bediako‘s eligibility lawsuit against the NCAA has recused himself from the case.
Tuscaloosa Circuit Court Judge James Roberts filed the order Wednesday, according to court documents. AL.com first reported Roberts’ recusal.
The case was reassigned to Judge Daniel Pruet, an Alabama graduate who is overseeing the murder case involving former Crimson Tide player Darius Miles.
The NCAA filed a motion for recusal Tuesday, noting Roberts’ donations to the university as well as public perception that his relationship with Alabama athletics could alter his judgment in the case. Roberts was listed as a donor on the Crimson Tide Foundation’s website.
“Courts in Alabama and beyond have widely recognized that a mere appearance of partiality is sufficient to require the recusal of a trial judge,” the NCAA wrote. “This appearance can be compounded by widespread media and public scrutiny questioning the trial court’s impartiality. Despite the NCAA’s confidence that the Court can disregard his connections to the University of Alabama and its athletics programs, recusal is still necessary to protect these proceedings from an appearance of impropriety.”
Bediako’s attorneys did not oppose the motion.
Bediako is suing the NCAA in an attempt to regain college eligibility despite leaving school and entering the 2023 NBA draft. He went undrafted but signed a two-way NBA contract and played the past three seasons in the G League. Roberts granted a temporary restraining order last week that allows Bediako to play for the Crimson Tide, at least until a hearing on an injunction can be held.
No. 23 Alabama plays at No. 19 Florida on Sunday.
The NCAA and several college coaches, including Florida’s Todd Golden, have strongly opposed Bediako’s return to college basketball.
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Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson was fined $50,000 for “aggressively pursuing, berating and making inadvertent contact with a game official,” the NBA announced Saturday.
The league’s announcement said the incident happened with 10:59 left in the fourth quarter of Cleveland’s 126-113 loss to the Phoenix Suns Friday.
Atkinson was assessed his second technical foul of the game when he stormed the court after a no-call against Sam Merrill for driving on Collin Gillespie after he bumped into an official before being escorted off and ejected from the game.
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Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson reacts during the second half in Game 4 of a first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat April 28, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rhona Wise)
Atkinson whipped his arm against the nearby referee before the whistle was blown.
Atkinson ripped the officials in a postgame news conference.
PGA TOUR STAR JUSTIN THOMAS RIPS NCAA FOR CURRENT STATE OF COLLEGE SPORTS
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson reacts in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers during Game 2 of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland May 6, 2025. (David Richard-Imagn Images)
“We had one free throw after three quarters against a team that [is 26th in fouls],” Atkinson said. “And the second free throw we got was after a flop. I’m not pleased. I thought the game got out of hand, quite honestly. Parts of the game seemed circus-like, quite honestly. I don’t know if that’s what we want as a league.
“Certain characters in this league take liberties, and we don’t stand up to them. And the game turns into reviews, challenges, go to the monitor for 20 minutes when we’re just trying to play basketball. I don’t think it’s good for the league, and I know it wasn’t good for us tonight. Thought they let the game get out of hand.”
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Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson reacts during the first half against the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland May 4, 2025. (Ken Blaze-Imagn Images)
The Cavaliers fell to 29-21, while Phoenix improved to 30-19.
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