Jannik Sinner won his second Grand Slam title by beating Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 in the U.S. Open final on Sunday afternoon. A heavy favorite over an opponent playing in his first major championship match, Sinner took care of Fritz in two hours and 16 minutes.
Fritz, who was bidding to be the first American slam champion since 2003 (Andy Roddick at the U.S. Open), briefly injected energy into Arthur Ashe Stadium when he gave himself a chance to serve for the third set and extend the match. However, just as he was in the second, Sinner was too good when it mattered most. The world No. 1 broke to stay in the set for 5-5 and then seized another break with Fritz serving at 5-6 to clinch victory in style.
“This title for me means so much; the last period of my career was not easy,” said Sinner, who arrived in New York right when a steroid controversy exploded. “There is my team who supports me every day, the people who are close to me…. The work never stops. I know I can still improve, as we saw today, a couple of things. But you have to be proud with what you have and the rest you have to work for it.”
Hard work–especially in the fitness department–will propel Fritz to No. 7 in the rankings on Monday. But it was nowhere near enough to beat Sinner in a match that marked the first appearance by an American man in a slam final since 2009 (Roddick at Wimbledon).
“I know we have been waiting for a champion for a long time, so I’m sorry I couldn’t get it done this time,” the 26-year-old lamented. “I’m going to keep working and hopefully I will get in the next time.”
The two biggest stars of both the present and the future monopolized the four Grand Slam titles in 2024. Sinner also lifted the Australian Open trophy, while Carlos Alcaraz triumphed at both the French Open and Wimbledon.
