World No1 Jannik Sinner began this US Open by answering awkward questions about the two doping tests that picked up traces of banned steroid Clostebol in his system. He ended it by lifting the trophy.
In a final that will not go down among the greats, Sinner outclassed American pretender Taylor Fritz in a straight-sets beatdown. Like Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday, he has completed the hard-court double this season after landing the Australian Open earlier in the year.
Sinner might still be a relative newcomer to this level, having only ever played one previous major final. (That one came in Melbourne in January, where he fought back from a two-set deficit to defeat Dannil Medvedev) But Fritz – while three years older at 26 – is even greener.
The American had not gone beyond the last eight at a grand slam event until this week, and he was easy meat for Sinner, especially in the first two sets, as he regularly gave up cheap errors on the big points.
The very presence of Fritz was in itself a fillip for the American tennis community. Remarkably, for all the dominance of Serena Williams, it had been 15 years since an American man had last played for a major trophy.
(That was the 2009 Wimbledon showpiece in which Andy Roddick should probably have beaten Roger Federer but netted a high backhand volley at the critical moment.)
Arthur Ashe Stadium was packed with celebrities for this match, including Taylor Swift and her boyfriend Travis Kelce, Olympic 100-metre champion Noah Lyles, and 1980s hard-rock giant Jon Bon Jovi (who happens to enjoy an unexpected friendship with British No2 Cameron Norrie).
In hindsight, though, it might have been better for the home fans if Frances Tiafoe had come through Friday night’s American derby, rather than getting ahead of himself mentally while leading by two sets to one and eventually
going down in five.
The great advantage of Tiafoe is that he is a purveyor of the unexpected. He varies his pace and his angles, comes to the net and has fantastic touch in the forecourt. Whereas Fritz is nothing if not predictable. His game is extremely solid, but lacks that touch of inspiration.
The trouble, then, with the Fritz-Sinner match-up is that they are both punishing baseliners, but Sinner just has a little more in every department (apart from, perhaps, the serve).
The Sinner groundstrokes have a slightly higher top speed, and a bigger topspin margin that allows them to find the court more regularly. The Sinner defensive game is slicker and more reliable, based on his extraordinary ability to slide into his shots.
In fact, the arrival of Sinner at the top of the game sends a lesson to any would-be tennis parents: put your son or daughter on the ski-slopes, because both he and Novak Djokovic spent a large part of their childhood years that way. Their ability to maintain a low centre of gravity as they slide around the court is a huge factor in both men’s success.
Sinner was not perhaps at his absolute best in this match, especially in a third set that saw his first-serve percentage drop to a lowly 38. Given plenty of opportunity to establish himself in the rallies, Fritz took the opportunity to break with a barrage of powerful forehands.
But Fritz’s window closed almost as soon as it had opened, and it was Sinner’s extra variety that made the difference. Even when the Italian couldn’t break down Fritz’s groundstrokes, he was still able to break play up with a drop-shot here or there.
Puffing like a steam engine by the end, Fritz brought up championship points for Sinner by botching a volley so badly that it almost flew into the stands. He then sent down a weak second serve that only just cleared the net, notching only 81mph on the speed gun, and looked thoroughly exhausted as he bunted one final forehand into the net.
Sinner was home by a 6-3, 6-4. 7-5 scoreline, and those questions about the Clostebol felt like a long time in the past. In fact, Sinner had begun the tournament with a convincing performance in the interview room, where he was quizzed repeatedly about what looked like favourable treatment.
Although his defence – which relied on the claim that his physio had contaminated him unintentionally during a massage – had already earned him a “no fault” verdict from the International Tennis Integrity Agency, numerous players and ex-players (including even Roger Federer) have expressed their surprise that Sinner was able to play on without interruption after failing two doping tests in March.
Returning to the match court, Sinner’s dominance on hard courts can be seen from the fact that his longest match at this tournament was the semi-final against Jack Draper – an exhaustingly sweaty affair that lasted three hours and three minutes, even though it never reached a fourth set.
Otherwise, the world No1 and top seed scythed through most opposition with his relentless, pounding version of PlayStation tennis. Sinner might not be a creator and a conjuror in the mould of Carlos Alcaraz, but he does have one or two tricks up his sleeve when he needs them. And that was the difference on an afternoon that underlined the gap between the new Big Two and the chasing pack. Unless Djokovic can regain motivation over the autumn and off-season, it’s hard to see who can stop the Alcaraz-Sinner axis, after the two young men shared all four majors this year.
Sinner beats Fritz to win US Open, as it happened
10:12 PM BST
A new era in men’s tennis
We knew it from the moment Novak Djokovic was beaten but the grand slam year ends without a victory for the ‘Big 3’.
The last time that happened was 2022. Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have shared the titles in 2024 and are undoubtedly the ‘Big 2’.
10:03 PM BST
Sinner reacts
I know how much work Taylor puts in. He’s doing an amazing job and congrats to you and the whole team. It’s so nice to see you on big stages like this, and I’m quite sure there will be many more. I wish you the best of luck for the future.
This title for me means so much because the last period of my career was really not easy. My team and the people who are close to me have supported me every day.
I love tennis. I practice a lot for this kind of stage.
09:57 PM BST
Fritz reacts
It’s been an amazing two weeks and congrats to Jannik, he played a great match. It was really impressive, he was too good.
Thanks to the fans. Being an American at the US Open is incredible, feeling the love all week.
I know we’ve been waiting for a champion for a long time, so I’m sorry I couldn’t get it done this time, but I’m going to keep working and hopefully the next time.
09:50 PM BST
The wait for an American male winner goes on
79 of the last 80 men’s singles slams have been won by Europeans.
09:43 PM BST
Sensational Sinner
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First world No 1 to win the US Open since 2017
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The first Italian man in history to win the US Open
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First player to win his first two Slams in the same year since 1977
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The youngest man ever to win both hard court grand slams in the same year
09:38 PM BST
WATCH: How Sinner became the US Open champion
09:34 PM BST
Sinner* 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 Fritz
Fritz starts a must win service game with a double fault. Sinner then seizes the initiative and forces the error from Fritz, 0-30.
Great rally, both players taking huge swings, Sinner then goes to the drop shot, Fritz gets there and hits one of his own and Sinner nets a backhand.
OH NO. Fritz shanks a drive volley long and gives Sinner two championship points. Fritz forehand into the net. GAME SET CHAMPIONSHIP SINNER!!!!
He raises his arms in the air. A straight sets victory for the Italian.
09:28 PM BST
Sinner 6-3, 6-4, 6-5 Fritz*
No holding back from Fritz as he crushes a cross court forehand winner, 30-15. Ooooh. Sinner double faults to make it 30-30.
Fritz is playing so aggressively but goes for too much with his forehand, 40-30. And Sinner holds to book himself a tiebreak at the very least.
Pressure right back on Fritz again.
09:24 PM BST
Sinner* 6-3, 6-4, 5-5 Fritz
Sinner continues to stand almost against the backboard to receive serve and moves to 15-30 when Fritz sends a forehand long.
A shake of the fist by Fritz after a Sinner return bounces long, 30-30. Big point coming up.
Sinner ups the ante, with a series of huge forehands and Fritz’s defensive forehand sails long. Break point.
Oh wow. Fritz finds the baseline twice by the slimmest of margins, Sinner changes it up with a drop shot, Fritz gets there and pushes a forehand down the line, Sinner goes down the line with a backhand and Fritz nets the volley.
Sinner breaks! Heartbreak for Fritz.
09:18 PM BST
Sinner 6-3, 6-4, 4-5 Fritz*
Sinner settles things down with a service hold to 15. Pressure all on Fritz now. Can he take us into a fourth set?
09:16 PM BST
Sinner* 6-3, 6-4, 3-5 Fritz
As I always say, it is never a break unless you consolidate on your own serve. That’s what Fritz has to do now but he has got the crowd going now and must seize the moment.
Two double faults in the game for Fritz but he has a game point at 40-30. He then shanks a forehand long to give Sinner a chance at deuce.
But an ace down the T by Fritz seals the game and edges him a step closer to the set.
09:09 PM BST
Sinner 6-3, 6-4, 3-4 Fritz*
Fritz has definitely upped the speed in his groundstrokes in the past 10 minutes. He is swinging hard and starting to rush Sinner. Fritz drop shot, Sinner gets there, Fritz hits a lob over Sinner, who chases back and hits his own lob which Fritz puts away with an overhead smash. The crowd enjoyed that and are on their feet. Is this Fritz’s moment?
Fritz has come to life. Another exceptional point, played on his terms and he finishes with a volley winner to bring up two break points.
Sinner double faults! Fritz breaks!!
09:05 PM BST
Sinner* 6-3, 6-4, 3-3 Fritz
Lovely inside out forehand winner from Sinner to start the game. Fritz is starting to force it and he misses the target with unforced errors to give Sinner two break points. Fritz saves the first.
Then the second after a 21-shot rally which saw exceptional defence by Sinner before he surprisingly misses a forehand wide, deuce. And Fritz completes the recovery from 15-40 with a blistering forehand winner down the line.
That is what it takes at the moment to beat Sinner.
08:57 PM BST
Sinner 6-3, 6-4, 3-2 Fritz*
After moving to 40-15, Sinner hits just his second double fault of the match. He responds with a forehand winner down the line, off the back foot. Outrageous power and balance.
08:55 PM BST
Sinner* 6-3, 6-4, 2-2 Fritz
Sinner is choosing to stand at least three metres behind the baseline to return Fritz’s serve. It is giving him more time to see the ball but it’s a curious decision. Will Fritz react and try to serve and volley? There is so much space for him to play with if he gets his first serve into play. Fritz holds again.
08:48 PM BST
Sinner 6-3, 6-4, 2-1 Fritz*
Gasps from the crowd as Fritz’s backhand sits up nicely for Sinner to rifle a backhand winner down the line, 40-15. Wide serve followed by a forehand down the line winner and Sinner holds.
08:46 PM BST
Sinner* 6-3, 6-4, 1-1 Fritz
A shake of the racket in the direction of his support box as he holds to 15. He needed that just to get back on track. The worry for him is that he can’t attack Sinner without making errors by over-hitting.
08:42 PM BST
Third Set: Sinner 6-3, 6-4, 1-0 Fritz*
For Fritz to win this match, he will have to do what Sinner did in Australia in January and win from two sets down. Right now, I can’t see it happening.
But a forehand long by Sinner does open the door for Fritz here at 0-30. Big ball striking by Fritz and Sinner nets a forehand to give up three break points.
Sinner saves the first when Fritz nets a backhand. Then the second with a forehand winner. And the third when Fritz’s forehand return sails long.
An ace and an overhead smash winner means Sinner wins five points in a row to hold. Fritz will be demoralised by that.
08:36 PM BST
Sinner* 6-3, 6-4 Fritz
Here comes Sinner. Two errors by Fritz sees him slip to 0-30. He responds with an inside-out forehand winner. But he nets a backhand to give up two set points.
Tight exchange, neither player willing to go for it until Sinner changes the flow of the rally with a devastating backhand down the line and Fritz nets his forehand on the run.
Sinner raised his level when it mattered most and ruthlessly took advantage. Huge blow to Fritz.
08:29 PM BST
Sinner 6-3, 5-4 Fritz*
Sinner holds serve for the fifth time in the set and makes Fritz serve to stay in it. Will scoreboard pressure tell for Fritz?
08:26 PM BST
Sinner* 6-3, 4-4 Fritz
16 of 18 first serves made by Fritz in the second set and the average length of time in his service games is 69 seconds.
The turnaround from being broken three times in the first set to this has been very impressive.
On we go!
08:23 PM BST
Sinner 6-3, 4-3 Fritz*
For all of Fritz’s rhythm and belief, Sinner is quietly going about his business and secures another easy hold. As we enter the business stage of the set, who will make their move first?
08:20 PM BST
Sinner* 6-3, 3-3 Fritz
Camera pick out Andy Roddick in the crowd. He, of course, is the last American man to win a grand slam in 2003. And Fritz keeps himself in the hunt to end that streak with a hold to love.
08:18 PM BST
Sinner 6-3, 3-2 Fritz*
Still going with serve as Sinner holds to 15. The quality of the match has dropped in my opinion. Feels like the crowd are waiting for a moment from Fritz to energise them.
08:14 PM BST
Sinner* 6-3, 2-2 Fritz
Another confidence boosting service hold for Fritz. He’s found his first serve and it is giving him some much needed cheap points.
08:09 PM BST
Sinner 6-3, 2-1 Fritz*
That’s more like it from Fritz as he hits a thumping return which Sinner can’t control. Sinner responds with a serve+1 play which ends with a forehand winner.
116mph wide ace by Sinner arcs away from Fritz and he holds when Fritz’s backhand return goes long.
08:07 PM BST
Sinner* 6-3, 1-1 Fritz
An essential hold for Fritz and it leads to a few chants of ‘USA, USA’. Fritz is going to need the crowd to inspire him because, at the moment, he is second best.
08:04 PM BST
Second Set: Sinner 6-3, 1-0 Fritz*
Starting to look a little ominous for Fritz as Sinner showcases his full repertoire in a service hold to love. If Sinner gets two sets up, I can’t see Fritz winning in five.
07:59 PM BST
Sinner* 6-3 Fritz
Fritz fails to find the corner with his second serve and Sinner punishes him with a return winner, 0-30. Sinner then turns defence into offence with his backhand and Fritz nets, three set points.
Fritz saves the first with just his second ace of the match. Then the second when Sinner gets a little bit carried away after a big forehand and hits a drive volley long. One more to go…
Fritz backhand long and Sinner takes the first set. He’s broken Fritz three out of five times. That is not ideal for the American.
07:55 PM BST
Sinner 5-3 Fritz*
Sinner is unbeaten in finals this year and he is looking strong to win a sixth title of the year when he holds to 15.
07:50 PM BST
Sinner* 4-3 Fritz
Just as Fritz was starting to look settled, a bad double fault leads to two break points for Sinner. Sinner stands on the baseline and moves Fritz left and right before changing it up with a drop shot which Fritz gets to but can’t get over the net.
Sinner breaks.
07:47 PM BST
Sinner 3-3 Fritz*
Sinner gets back on track with a service hold to 30. The Italian will be frustrated at how the has momentum shifted towards Fritz.
07:41 PM BST
Sinner* 2-3 Fritz
Huge forehand winner by Fritz beats Sinner despairing stretch, 30-30. He gets it wrong with a backhand though and Sinner has another opportunity to break.
Fritz does incredibly to stay with Sinner in a 23 shot rally and it’s Sinner who blinks first when his forehand lands in the tramlines, deuce.
Standing ovation for Fritz as he hangs on and holds to win his third in a row. Quite the turnaround.
07:37 PM BST
Sinner 2-2 Fritz*
Back from Fritz. Sinner misses the baseline by centimetres with a backhand and that gives Fritz two break points.
Sinner saves the first with an overhead winner. Then the second as he jumps into a huge forehand and Fritz can’t handle the pace and nets.
Fritz wins a backhand-to-backhand exchange and earns another break point chance. Fritz puts up a high backhand return, it should be an easy swinging forehand for Sinner but he nets. I’d say that was worse than Fritz miss on break point in the opening game.
Nevertheless, we are back on serve.
07:29 PM BST
Sinner* 2-1 Fritz
Relief for Fritz as he gets on the scoreboard early with a strong service hold. He won’t win this match from the back of the court so it will be interesting to see how often he can get to the net.
07:26 PM BST
Sinner 2-0 Fritz*
This is a clear statement of intent from Sinner as he keeps Fritz pinned to the baseline and serves out to love.
07:25 PM BST
First Set: Jannik Sinner* 1-0 Taylor Fritz (*denotes next server)
Earlier start time than usual for the men’s final at the US Open. Could the warm conditions play a part? Let’s find out!
Expecting the match to be played predominantly from the baseline. Both players are OK at the net but wouldn’t say they enjoy having to hit volleys.
Fritz needs a big serving day to keep the pressure off him but he finds himself in early trouble when Sinner earns two break points at 15-40.
Fritz saves the first. But Sinner gets the break at the second attempt when he miraculously returns a huge Fritz first serve, the ball sits up for an overhead but Fritz hits it wide. It’s a bad miss but Sinner won’t care…
07:12 PM BST
Here we go!
Showtime on Arthur Ashe as Fritz and then Sinner are welcomed onto court. To be honest I expected more from the crowd towards Fritz. Initial feeling was that it was 60-40 in favour of support for the American.
Sinner wins the toss and says he will receive serve first. He did the same in the semi-final against Draper.
07:02 PM BST
The world’s most high-profile couple have landed at Flushing Meadows
06:57 PM BST
Sinner vs Fritz: Tale of the tape
06:49 PM BST
Fritz on reaching the final
It hit me when he [Christopher Eubanks] said the thing about how I’m in the finals and the crowd was cheering. It’s just kind of like how I am. I’m more of an emotional person when I’m happy. When I’m really happy I cry at happy endings of movies and not at sad stuff. That’s kind of just how I am.
It’s just joy, the crowd cheering and kind of that realisation, like ‘Wow, I’m in the finals of the US Open. It’s such a lifelong dream come true. Something I’ve worked my whole life for to be in this situation.
06:41 PM BST
It will be interesting to see if the injury Sinner picked up below hampers him
06:32 PM BST
My favourite shot of the US Open
06:23 PM BST
When does the final start?
Expect the players on court shortly after 7pm once we’ve had the national anthem.
06:13 PM BST
Sinner and Fritz’s road to the final
06:01 PM BST
US Open men’s final
Hello and welcome to coverage of the US Open men’s final between Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz.
It is the final day of the tournament and the final is the only match on the schedule in an earlier start time compared to previous years.
The favourite to win is the world No 1 Sinner, who beat Britain’s Jack Draper on Friday in the semi-finals. Sinner won the Australian Open in January for his first major title and is 34-2 this year on hard courts.
“I’m happy to be in the final here,” he said. “It’s a special tournament, so let’s see what’s coming Sunday.
“The atmosphere is what it’s going to be. I mean, we are in America, we are in New York playing against an American, so it’s going be the crowd a little bit more on their side.
“But it’s normal. It’s like when I play in Italy. So I’m gonna accept that.”
Fritz is bidding to become the first American man in 21 years to win a grand slam singles title.To get there, the 26-year-old beat his compatriot and friend Frances Tiafoe in an enthralling five-set battle that lit up Arthur Ashe.
“It was two Americans trying to make it to the final,” he said of his semi-final. “Both of us wanted to be the guy to make it to the final.
“It was to make a US Open final, whoever won it was the American that made it to the final. I mean, it’s a stressful situation to be in.
“It’s different from playing the World No.1, who you’re probably not going to be the favourite against.
“But I think I’ve always played well against Jannik. It’s been a while since we played but last time he got me in three at Indian Wells.
“I don’t know, he strikes, he hits the ball big, he’s like a very strong ball striker, but I feel like I always hit the ball really nice off of his ball.
“I don’t know, I think I typically play well against him.”
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