Jannik Sinner captured his second Grand Slam title of the year with a commanding performance in the US Open final, defeating Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 on Sunday. The victory not only added to Sinner’s impressive 2024 season but also marked the first time an Italian man has won the US Open.
Sinner, the world number one, showcased his dominance throughout the tournament, culminating in a decisive final performance. This win, which follows his maiden Grand Slam triumph at the Australian Open earlier in January, brought his season total to 55 match wins and six titles.
“I love tennis, but off the court, there is a life also,” Sinner said after the match. He dedicated the victory to his aunt, who is ill. “This title means so much,” he added, acknowledging the support from his team and family during a challenging period in his career.
Taylor Fritz, ranked 12th in the world, was seeking to become the first American man to win a major since Andy Roddick’s US Open victory in 2003. Despite the loss, Fritz received considerable support from a star-studded crowd, including pop icon Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce, as well as Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey.
Fritz expressed his admiration for Sinner’s performance, saying, “Congratulations to Jannik, he played a great match. He was very impressive and was too good today. I’m sorry I couldn’t get it done but I will keep working and I feel I will get it the next time.”
The final started with Sinner taking a 2-0 lead in the first set, only for Fritz to level at 2-2. Sinner’s relentless play saw him break Fritz’s serve again, claiming the set 6-3. The second set saw both players holding serve until Sinner secured it 6-4 with a deep forehand that Fritz could not return.
The third set was tightly contested, with Fritz failing to capitalize on three break points in the opening game. Sinner, after initially falling behind, broke back in the 10th game and held serve to reach 6-5. He secured the championship with a final break, ending the match with Fritz netting a return.
Sinner’s victory reinforces his status as a dominant force in tennis alongside Carlos Alcaraz, who won the French Open and Wimbledon earlier this year. As the tennis world looks forward to the rest of the season, Sinner’s performance at the US Open is a testament to his exceptional skill and determination.
Fritz, while disappointed, remains optimistic about his future prospects and is determined to continue his pursuit of Grand Slam success.
