Jannik Sinner captured his maiden US Open title in stunning fashion, defeating Taylor Fritz in straight sets at Flushing Meadows on Sunday.
The Italian world No. 1’s victory, with scores of 6-3, 6-4, 7-5, made him only the fourth man to win both the Australian Open and US Open on hard courts in the same season, joining the ranks of Mats Wilander, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic.
Sinner’s triumph dampened the celebratory atmosphere for Fritz, who had a star-studded crowd cheering him on, including pop icon Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce. With this win, Sinner adds to an extraordinary year, following his breakthrough in Melbourne and a Tour-leading five titles, achieving a remarkable 55-5 record in 2024.
Sinner faced scrutiny entering the tournament due to a recent anti-doping scandal but silenced critics with his performance. Speaking courtside to Sky Sports Tennis, he reflected, “This title means so much to me. The last part of my career hasn’t been easy. I love tennis and prepare for stages like this, but I also recognize there’s life off the court.” Sinner dedicated his victory to his aunt, who is unwell, emphasizing her importance in his life.
Match Summary
In the final, Sinner started strong, delivering a powerful forehand winner on the match’s opening point. Though Fritz initially broke back to level at 2-2, Sinner regained control, breaking Fritz’s serve again in the seventh and ninth games to take the first set.
The second set saw Fritz contesting closely but falter while serving at 4-5, allowing Sinner to convert set points with a sharp backhand down the line.
Fritz’s breakthrough came midway through the third set when he saved two break points and finally broke Sinner’s serve, energizing the crowd. However, Sinner’s champion mentality shone through as he broke back just as Fritz was set to serve for the set.
The Italian quickly wrapped up the match, sealing the victory that makes him the first male Italian champion in US Open history.
Match Stats:
- Sinner:
- Aces: 6
- Double Faults: 5
- 1st Serve Win Percentage: 88%
- 2nd Serve Win Percentage: 48%
- Break Points Won: 6/12
- Total Winners: 23
- Unforced Errors: 21
- Total Points Won: 96
- Fritz:
- Aces: 10
- Double Faults: 4
- 1st Serve Win Percentage: 68%
- 2nd Serve Win Percentage: 43%
- Break Points Won: 2/7
- Total Winners: 29
- Unforced Errors: 34
- Total Points Won: 79
Looking ahead, Sinner’s impressive performance has elevated him as a top contender in tennis, and fans eagerly anticipate his next matches.
Credit: Sky Sports
