Carlos Alcaraz delivered a masterclass performance at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday, defeating world No. 1 Jannik Sinner 6–2, 3–6, 6–1, 6–4 to capture his second U.S Open title.
The 22-year-old Spaniard avenged his Wimbledon loss to the Italian in their 15th career meeting, showcasing his relentless athleticism and fearless shot-making.
The highly anticipated clash was briefly delayed due to heightened security with former U.S. President Donald Trump in attendance, leaving the stands half-filled at the start. But Alcaraz remained unfazed, breaking early to dominate the opening set 6–2.
Sinner, the defending champion, responded by taking the second set, but Alcaraz quickly regrouped. From that point on, he lost just five games across the final two sets, overwhelming Sinner with 40 winners and unyielding defense.
The rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner continues to shape a new era of tennis. Between them, the pair has now claimed the last eight Grand Slam titles with four each.
Alcaraz’s latest triumph not only brought him a $5 million paycheck, pushing his career earnings past the $50 million mark, but also leveled their rivalry on the sport’s biggest stages.
For fans, this rivalry is a gift. Just a few years after Roger Federer’s retirement and a year after Rafael Nadal stepped away, men’s tennis has found its new leading duo. Both players thrive across all surfaces, consistently reach the latter stages of major tournaments, and push each other to new heights.
On this occasion in New York, it was Carlos Alcaraz who stood tallest, blending his trademark explosiveness with calm composure. As he himself has admitted, Sinner pushes him to his limits and on Sunday, those limits looked boundless.
