Carlos Alcaraz underlined his supremacy in men’s tennis with a commanding four-set victory over Jannik Sinner in the US Open final on Sunday, clinching his second title in New York and sixth Grand Slam crown overall. The 22-year-old Spaniard prevailed 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in a showdown that once again defined the sport’s most compelling rivalry.
Also Read: India-Pakistan Rivalry to Ignite Asia Cup 2025 in UAE
Alcaraz’s triumph avenged his Wimbledon final defeat to Sinner in July and ended the Italian’s 27-match unbeaten streak on hard courts at Grand Slams. It also sealed his return to the world number one ranking, displacing Sinner at the top.
“It’s a great feeling. I’m working really hard just to lift this trophy. It’s my second one but it’s still a dream come true,” Alcaraz said after becoming the first man since Roger Federer to win multiple US Open titles before turning 23.
The match marked the third consecutive Grand Slam final between the pair, with Alcaraz winning two of them this season. Their growing dominance is evident — the duo have now shared the last eight majors, four each, leaving Novak Djokovic and the rest of the field trailing.
For Sinner, the loss was another reminder of the thin margins at the top level. “I tried my best today. I couldn’t do more. He raised his level when he had to … He played better than me today,” admitted the 24-year-old, who vowed to make adjustments.
The much-anticipated clash began under unusual circumstances. The final was delayed by 30 minutes due to heightened security around the arrival of US President Donald Trump, whose presence drew a mix of cheers and boos inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. With fans still filing in, Alcaraz struck early, breaking twice to pocket the first set 6-2.
Sinner briefly turned the tide in the second, breaking Alcaraz to go 3-1 up and riding his momentum to level the match. But Alcaraz immediately reset, producing a dazzling third set highlighted by a breathtaking baseline winner that left the crowd gasping. From there, the Spaniard never looked back, dictating play with relentless aggression and closing out the fourth set to seal victory in just over three hours.
The win adds another layer to Alcaraz’s already historic career. At 22, he joins an exclusive group of players to have won Grand Slam titles on all three surfaces: hard courts, clay, and grass. More importantly, it reasserts his dominance over Sinner, against whom he now boasts a 10-5 head-to-head record, including seven wins in their last eight meetings.
Sinner, meanwhile, acknowledged both frustration and hope. “Losing in two finals is great but also super hard. I need to fight harder for my dreams. It’s on me now to make changes and come back stronger,” he said.
For now, though, the spotlight belongs to Alcaraz. In an era rapidly being reshaped by new icons, the Spaniard continues to set the standard — with power, poise, and a hunger for more.
