Betting odds for Alcaraz and Djokovic's US Open Semifinal match-up

In the highly-anticipated final of the US Open, the spotlight will shine on two of the world's top tennis stars: Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic.

Carlos Alcaraz, the second-favorite to win the tournament with odds of +150, has been in impressive form at this year's event. The young Spanish sensation has spent a total of 9:41 on court in the first five rounds, a testament to his efficiency and dominance. His most impressive performance came in the quarterfinals, where he obliterated world #21 Jiri Lehecka in a stunning display of tennis.

However, Alcaraz will face a formidable opponent in Djokovic. The Serbian maestro, who comes back as a +200 underdog, has a rich history against Alcaraz. In their eight career matches, Djokovic has managed to edge out Alcaraz 5-3. This includes a four-set victory at the Australian Open earlier this season and a two-set dominance at the 2023 ATP Finals in Turin.

Djokovic's journey to the final has not been without its challenges. He struggled mentally against Taylor Fritz in their quarterfinal match, hitting only 59% of his first serves and converting an abysmal 15.4% of his breakpoint chances. However, he managed to overcome these hurdles and secure his place in the final.

Alcaraz, on the other hand, has only faced one opponent who managed to push him to a tiebreak: Arthur Rinderknech. Remarkably, Alcaraz didn't allow a single breakpoint chance on his serve during his quarterfinal match against Jiri Lehecka.

The training partnership between Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero, a former world No. 1 and a fellow Spaniard, has been instrumental in Alcaraz's preparation for the hard-court battles against Djokovic. This partnership has helped Alcaraz to improve his game significantly, as evidenced by his impressive run at the US Open.

The opening odds for the Alcaraz vs Djokovic match have Alcaraz as a -260 favorite, with a 72.22% implied win probability. Despite this, Djokovic should not be counted out. His experience and past victories against Alcaraz make him a formidable opponent.

Reilly Opelka, a huge-serving player at 6'11, managed to reach five games in a set against Alcaraz, showcasing the potential challenges that Djokovic might face. However, Djokovic has won four of the last five matches against Alcaraz, a statistic that could give him confidence going into the final.

Interestingly, Alcaraz has never beaten Djokovic on a hardcourt. This could add an extra layer of pressure on the young Spanish star, but his recent form and determination suggest that he is ready to challenge Djokovic on his favored surface.

As the US Open final approaches, tennis fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting this highly anticipated match. Will Alcaraz continue his impressive run and claim his first Grand Slam title, or will Djokovic use his experience and past victories to secure another major victory? Only time will tell.