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Jannik Sinner outclasses Taylor Fritz to win US Open and confirm new era of men’s tennis

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World No1 Jannik Sinner began this US Open by answering awkward questions about two failed doping tests. He ended it by lifting the trophy.
In a final that won’t 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.
In the moments following his 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 victory, Sinner alluded to his complicated build-up, which saw the news about his doping tests break only six days before the start of the tournament. 
“The last months were very difficult,” he told ABC’s punditry panel. “I think you all know what I’ve been through.”
During the presentation ceremony, Sinner had also revealed that he is dealing with illness in the family. “I would like to dedicate this title to my aunt,” he said. “She is really not feeling well health-wise. I don’t know how much longer I’ll have her in my life.”
Sinner is clearly a master of compartmentalisation because he has continued to perform at a high level this season despite all these distractions. He has known since March that he had tested positive for the banned steroid Clostebol, yet his record over the last six months stands at a hugely impressive 36 wins from 40 matches.
In order to halt the Sinner juggernaut, Fritz would have needed to perform at his peak from point one. Instead, he admitted afterwards that: “I didn’t hit the ball as well as I expected to.” The misfiring Fritz was easy meat for Sinner, especially in the first two sets, as he regularly gave up cheap errors on big points.
Arthur Ashe Stadium was packed with celebrities supporting the first American man to reach a major final in 15 years. 
The roll call included 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 No 2 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 of a semi-final. 
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.
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 40. Given plenty of opportunity to establish himself in the rallies, Fritz took the opportunity to break serve – and thus to move properly ahead in a set for the only time in the match.
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 surprise him with a drop-shot here or there.
Puffing like a steam engine by the end, Fritz brought up Sinner’s championship points by botching a volley so badly that it almost flew into the stands. He then sent down a weak second serve that notched only 81mph on the speed gun, and looked thoroughly exhausted as he bunted one final forehand into the net.
Fritz sounded downcast in the interview room as he admitted that: “American fans [have] been wanting a men’s champion for a long time. I’m pretty upset with how I played. I feel like I almost let a lot of people down.”
As Sinner hoisted the gigantic silver cup above his head, those questions about Clostebol felt like a long time in the past. He had begun the tournament with a convincing performance in the interview room, where he was quizzed repeatedly about the minutiae of his case. After that, it was all about the tennis.
And yet, despite a triumph that extends his lead at the top of the world rankings to a massive 4,000-odd points, Sinner’s brand has still been tarnished to some extent.
Back in March, his lawyers had moved quickly to defuse the situation, arguing that his physio had contaminated him unintentionally during a massage. Within a matter of days, he had already earned a “no fault” verdict from the International Tennis Integrity Agency, and thus was able to continue his season uninterrupted.
But since the ITIA released the details on August 20, several players and ex-players – including even Roger Federer – have expressed their surprise that Sinner’s case was resolved so quickly when others have had to wait for weeks or even months.
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.
The moment Jannik Sinner became the US Open champion 🤩 pic.twitter.com/80Eo8lN3jr
Otherwise, the world No 1 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.
On Sunday, this superior touch proved to be the difference. Unless Djokovic can regain motivation before next season, it’s hard to see who can stop 21-year-old Alcaraz and 23-year-old Sinner: the two young bravos who shared all four majors this year.
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’.
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.
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. 
79 of the last 80 men’s singles slams have been won by Europeans.
The moment Jannik Sinner became the US Open champion 🤩 pic.twitter.com/80Eo8lN3jr
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.
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.
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.
What a third set so far! 🤯Jannik Sinner breaks back to level the set at 5-5 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/XxQBPrMTUG
Sinner settles things down with a service hold to 15. Pressure all on Fritz now. Can he take us into a fourth set?
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.
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!!
“Brilliant from Fritz” 🤩Taylor Fritz continues to fight in the third set 💪 pic.twitter.com/emxIG15tMy
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.
Jannik Sinner is gliding on an air cushion today. pic.twitter.com/hFCVKrVxyp
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Superb Sinner 🤩The Italian takes a two-set lead over Taylor Fritz pic.twitter.com/K7hrKpR3TU
Sinner holds serve for the fifth time in the set and makes Fritz serve to stay in it. Will scoreboard pressure tell for 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!
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?
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.
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.
Another confidence boosting service hold for Fritz. He’s found his first serve and it is giving him some much needed cheap points.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Jannik Sinner moves ahead in the first set again 👀He breaks Taylor Fritz for the second time to lead 4-3 pic.twitter.com/WM3cYOjDBd
Sinner gets back on track with a service hold to 30. The Italian will be frustrated at how the has momentum shifted towards 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.
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.
Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz have traded breaks in the opening four games! pic.twitter.com/XR8S67EW32
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.
This is a clear statement of intent from Sinner as he keeps Fritz pinned to the baseline and serves out to love.
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…
What a start for Jannik Sinner 🤩He breaks Taylor Fritz in the first game of the match 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/bGaEdRN8k8
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.
FOR ALL THE MARBLES 🏆 pic.twitter.com/WAVIrrrCPj
In a tennis era 🤩Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce arrive at the US Open. pic.twitter.com/ZsXN2KpgDF
2 – An Italian and an American play each other in a Grand Slam Men’s Singles final for the second time during the Open Era after Adriano Panatta defeated Harold Solomon at Roland Garros 1976. Battle. #USOpen | @usopen @atptour @ATPMediaInfo pic.twitter.com/LX1V0gGbhN
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.
JANNIK. SINNER. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/QHOqrMeXAE
Expect the players on court shortly after 7pm once we’ve had the national anthem.
How Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz reached the US Open final 👇 pic.twitter.com/H0f3uIOAVl
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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