We got used to Novak Djokovic being the ultimate interloper.

At the start of his career, he got in the way of the Roger Federer/Rafael Nadal matchup we all wanted to see. And for a while, nearing the end of his remarkable career, he has stuck around long enough to mess with a new pair of superstars.

In the process, Djokovic has earned the heart of tennis fans, which was evident Friday at the U.S. Open as fans cheered for the 38-year-old Serbian even as he ran out of gas and lost in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-2, to 22-year-old Carlos Alcaraz.

Alcaraz’ victory likely set up the much-anticipated showdown between the No. 2-seeded Spaniard and No. 1-seeded Jannik Sinner , who was expected to win his semifinal match Friday night against No. 25 Felix Auger-Aliassime.

It’s a championsh

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