If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.
Carlos Alcaraz did exactly that on Sunday, taking down Jannik Sinner, the game’s premier hard-court player, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, to claim his sixth major title and second at the US Open.
A-list stars were out in droves inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, but the biggest star by far on Sunday was 22-year-old Alcaraz, who hit all the high notes and kept his rival at bay across the pair’s 15th career meeting and third consecutive Grand Slam final, locking up his triumph in two hours, 42 minutes.
For his efforts, Alcaraz will return to the No. 1 ranking on Monday, ending Sinner’s 65-week reign at the top.
“Every achievement that I have is because of you,” Alcaraz told his team after raising the trophy, before sending his heartfelt thanks to the New York crowd.
“This tournament is super special for me,” he added. “It’s a privilege to be a part of this tournament. I just feel at home, feel the energy and feel the love, and I’m just trying to play my best for you guys. You made everything easy.”
If there were any questions about whether or not Alcaraz would continue the same flawless play that he had carried through his first six rounds into the final, they were answered early.
Alcaraz was crisp from the get-go, and as a result, Sinner’s troubles started early, the Italian facing his first break point just four minutes into the final.
Four more minutes—and a few jaw-dropping slingshot forehands later—and Alcaraz had already drawn first blood, taking the 1-0 advantage just nine minutes in.
Firing on all cylinders, Alcaraz engineered another break for 5-2 and served out the opening set in a tidy 37 minutes.
Not to be outdone, Sinner clicked back into focus to start the second set and took the play to Alcaraz, registering the critical break for 3-1 with a forehand that sailed past Alcaraz for a clean winner. The break held up, as Sinner reeled off five consecutive holds to become the first man to take a set from Alcaraz at this year’s Open.
Thanks to the overflowing magic of Alcaraz, the Italian’s momentum would be short-lived.
Alcaraz captured lightning in a bottle time and time again in the third set, as he broke Sinner for 2-0, then waved his magic wand and hit the most remarkable overhead of the tournament—a sidewinding smash that skidded off the court and kicked away from Sinner’s outstretched arms for a winner, eliciting a devilish smile from the Spaniard.
The crowd-pleasing winner allowed Alcaraz to work his way out of a 0-30 hole in the third game. He wouldn’t see any more trouble for the remainder of the set.
He broke again for 4-0, an overcooked Sinner forehand sailing wide of the tramlines, and took a two-sets-to-one lead moments later.
With Alcaraz harnessing the power of the packed house inside Ashe, the Spaniard rode the momentum to the finish line behind more flawless serving in the fourth set. After breaking through for 3-2, Alcaraz calmly reeled off three more service holds and fittingly sealed the victory with his 11th ace of the contest.
“I know it’s a lot of hard work behind this performance today,” Sinner told Alcaraz on court during the awards ceremony. “You were better than me. Congrats. Enjoy it. It’s a great moment.”
Sunday’s victory makes Alcaraz the second youngest male player in history to claim six major titles, and enables a triumphant return to the top of the ATP rankings. Alcaraz will begin his 37th week at No. 1 on Monday, returning to the top spot for the first time since September 2023.
“For me, to achieve that once again, it is a dream,” Alcaraz said. “Doing it on the same day as getting another Grand Slam feels even better. It’s everything I’m working for, and I’m really happy to be able to live these experiences.”
Courtesy of the US Open.
