Jannik Sinner crashed Taylor Fritz’s American party, packed with A-list celebrities, by winning his maiden US Open title in straight sets at Flushing Meadows in New York on Sunday.
The Italian world No 1 became just the fourth man to win the Australian Open and US Open on hard courts in the same season – after Mats Wilander, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic – with a comfortable 6-3 6-4 7-5 victory on a patriotic Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Sinner has enjoyed an extraordinary year with a major breakthrough in Melbourne and a Tour-leading five titles, including the Cincinnati tune-up tournament last month. He has now racked up a remarkable 55-5 record in 2024.
Fritz – backed by a partisan crowd on Arthur Ashe including global pop star Taylor Swift and her Kansas City Chiefs boyfriend Travis Kelce – had been gunning to become the first male American champion of the US Open since Andy Roddick won in 2003.
But Sinner, who came into the tournament under a cloud following his anti-doping scandal, where he escaped a ban despite two positive tests in March, let his tennis do the talking in New York.
Sinner reflects on recent months – and dedicates win to aunt
Sinner said courtside on Sky Sports Tennis:
“This title for me means so much, the last period of my career, was not easy.
“I love tennis, I practise a lot for this kind of stage, but I also realise off the court there is a life.
“I would like to dedicate this title to my aunt, she is not feeling well and I don’t know how much longer I have her in my life.
“She was very important for my life and she still is.”
The story of the final…
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Fritz hits two stunning winners to set up a break in the third set, which even got actor Matthew McConaughey off his seat!
Sinner, who ended the dreams of British No 1 Jack Draper in the semi-finals, delivered an authoritative forehand winner on the first point of the match en route to an opening break of serve. Although Fritz reclaimed the break to level at 2-2, Sinner continued to dictate proceedings as he broke the American’s delivery again in the seventh and ninth games to take the lead.
Fritz matched his opponent toe for toe in the second set, until it came to serve to stay in it at 4-5.
A couple of wayward shots handed Sinner the set points, which he took with a speared backhand down the line.
The 12th-seeded Fritz had been broken only nine times in his first six matches at Flushing Meadows.
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Sinner nailed with thunderous backhand to seal the second set in some style…
Fritz’s moment came midway through the third set. After saving two break points he then delivered a fine return game to break Sinner’s serve.
He finally had a raucous crowd on their feet but, as he was serving for the set, the Italian showed his champion mentality by breaking back.
The rest was inevitable as he quickly reeled off two more games to seal a straight-sets win, becoming the first male Italian champion in US Open history.
Celebrities in attendance
Taylor Swift and Travis Kielce headlined the list of celebrities present at the US Open final
Swift watched another Taylor perform as she attended the final with boyfriend Kelce and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, four days after watching his Kansas City Chiefs open their NFL season with a victory.
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jon Bon Jovi was also spotted among the crowd along with Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey, who turned up wearing a red, white and blue bandana.
Friends star Courteney Cox waved to fans wearing sunglasses, while Vogue editor Anna Wintour was seated beside actor Eddie Redmayne along with Dustin Hoffman.
Fritz: Sinner was too good | Sorry to the fans I couldn’t get it done
Taylor Fritz said courtside on Sky Sports Tennis:
“It’s been an amazing two weeks and congrats to Jannik, he played a great match,” said Fritz. “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.
“Thank you.”
Bartoli: Clinical from world-class Sinner – he’s special
Marion Bartoli on Sky Sports Tennis:
“Absolutely incredible atmosphere on the court throughout this whole match,” said the former Wimbledon champion.
“The crowd played their part and really tried to push Fritz to win that third set, but in the end it was not enough
“It was a clinical performance from Jannik Sinner.
“Every single time Fritz raised his level, Sinner was there as well. He could have easily let that third set slip.
“Sinner closed the door on the nose of Fritz every time. He showed his world class.
“It takes someone quite special to quieten the crowd like that.”
Lopez: Sinner was dominant and raised his level when he needed to
Feliciano Lopez on Sky Sports Tennis:
“Sinner really dominated the match from the very beginning, with the exception of that moment in the third set,” said the Spaniard.
“It was a shame the way it slipped through Fritz’s fingers, when he was serving for the set.
“The crowd was starting to get involved, but Jannik raised his level when he needed to and he got the victory.”
Henman: Sinner showed enormous maturity and never panicked
Tim Henman on Sky Sports Tennis:
“You reflect on Cincinnati, when we didn’t know what was going on when he’d had a positive drugs test,” said the six-time Grand Slam semi-finalist.
“Likewise coming out into such a big match today, he started beautifully, dominated proceedings, and in the third set when we finally got a reaction from Fritz and the crowd got involved, there was no panic from Sinner.
“That’s where he showed enormous maturity. It was only his second Grand Slam final, but there was no panic. He just kept sticking to the process.
“He was so aggressive from the back of the court, and to win those last three games and seal the match in straight sets was incredibly impressive.”
What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis in September?
- Jasmin Open, Tunisia – WTA 250 (9-15 September)
- Guadalajara Open, Mexico – WTA 500 (9-15 September)
- Korea Open – WTA 500 (16 -22 September – with Emma Raducanu in action)
- Thailand Open – WTA 250 (16 -22 September)
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