In a thrilling showdown at the U.S. Open final, Carlos Alcaraz reaffirmed his dominance over Jannik Sinner with a decisive score of 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. This victory on Sunday not only secured Alcaraz his second title at Flushing Meadows but also marked his sixth Grand Slam trophy in total. The match showcased the growing rivalry between these two elite young players, as it was the third consecutive Grand Slam tournament where they faced off for the championship.
The match's start was delayed for approximately 30 minutes due to thousands of fans waiting outside Arthur Ashe Stadium to pass through enhanced security measures, as former President Donald Trump was in attendance. This delay seemed to affect the top-seeded Sinner, who was the defending champion. Under a closed roof—necessitated by rain earlier that day—No. 2 Alcaraz took control of the match from the beginning, reversing the outcome from their recent Wimbledon final just two months prior.
With this victory, Alcaraz now leads the head-to-head series against Sinner 10-5, holding a 6-4 advantage in major titles and a 2-1 edge in U.S. Open championships. The match lasted 2 hours and 42 minutes, allowing Alcaraz, a talented 22-year-old from Spain, to reclaim the No. 1 ranking from Sinner, who is 24 years old and hails from Italy. This hard-court clash followed a series of intense encounters, including Alcaraz's dramatic win at the French Open, where he saved three match points against Sinner.
Sunday’s final was historic, as it marked the first time in tennis history that the same two players faced each other in three consecutive Grand Slam finals within a single season. After the match, Sinner humbly acknowledged Alcaraz's skill, stating, “You were better than me. I tried my best today. I couldn’t do more.” Both players displayed extraordinary talent, highlighting why they are currently the standout competitors in men’s tennis.
Throughout the match, Alcaraz demonstrated his superior skills, finishing with twice as many winners as Sinner, 42 to 21. He was exceptional in the first, third, and fourth sets, while Sinner found his rhythm in the second set. Since the start of the 2024 U.S. Open, Sinner had an impressive record of 33 wins in 34 matches at major tournaments, making this loss particularly significant.
Leading up to the final, Sinner had dropped only one service game in his previous three matches but faced an abdominal issue during his semifinal. Despite reassurances from his team that the injury was not serious, Alcaraz quickly broke Sinner's serve at the start of the match and achieved five breaks overall. To counter Alcaraz's powerful forehand, Sinner attempted to target Alcaraz’s backhand, with mixed results.
The crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium heavily favored Alcaraz, showering him with standing ovations for his spectacular plays, including an incredible volley that left both players in awe. In contrast, Sinner faced moments of frustration, visibly reacting to the crowd's energy and Alcaraz's stunning shots. Alcaraz's aggressive strategy paid off, as he frequently capitalized on any openings presented by Sinner.
The rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in tennis history. As both players continue to dominate the Grand Slam circuit, fans can expect more thrilling encounters in the future. With Alcaraz leading the tour with seven titles and an impressive record, the tennis world eagerly anticipates their next showdown.
