Sinner wins US Open title for second Grand Slam triumph

Jannik Sinner holds up his championship trophy after defeating Taylor Fritz in the US Open men’s singles final. (AP Photo)

NEW YORK: Jannik Sinner won his second Grand Slam title of 2024 on Sunday when he defeated Taylor Fritz in the US Open final, shattering American hopes of a first male major champion in 21 years.

World No. 1 Sinner, who won his first Grand Slam at the Australian Open in January, became the first Italian to triumph in New York with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 victory.

For the 23-year-old Sinner it was his 55th victory of the season and his sixth title.

After his 21-year-old rival Carlos Alcaraz won the French Open and Wimbledon titles to take his major title haul to four, the two men have cemented their place as the powers of the new era of tennis.

“This title means so much,” said Sinner, who arrived in New York in a daze after it emerged he had failed two drug tests but escaped sanctions.

“The last period of my career was not easy, but I have my team and my family who support me.

“I love tennis, but I have a life outside of it. I want to dedicate this trophy to my aunt, because she is not well and I don’t know how much longer I will have her in my life.

“She was a very important part of my life and she still is. It’s nice to share this with her.”

World number 12 Fritz was aiming to become the first American since Andy Roddick in New York in 2003 to win a major.

He was supported by celebrities from the top 23,000 spectators in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Pop star Taylor Swift looked on with her boyfriend and NFL star Travis Kelce, while Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey was hard to miss in his Stars and Stripes headband.

“It was two great weeks. Congratulations to Jannik, he played a great game. He was very impressive and was too good today,” said Fritz.

‘Next time’

“I’m sorry I couldn’t do it, but I’ll keep working on it and I have a feeling that next time I’ll be able to do it.”

Sinner took a 2-0 lead in the first set, but Fritz equalized the score: 2-2.

The 26-year-old American saved a break point after a tiring 23-shot rally in the fifth game, but quickly fell back behind 4-3.

Sinner struck again with a third break to claim the first set when Fritz hit a long backhand.

The two players lost serve just 20 times in six rounds during the tournament leading up to the final on Sunday.

That strength was clearly evident in the second set, with the serve holding for the first nine games until the tenth set.

Sinner then managed to create two set points, but only needed one. With a deep forehand he forced Fritz into a desperate attempt, after which his return landed limply in the net.

At that stage of the final, Sinner had made only nine unforced errors to Fritz’s 19, which showed his control of the court.

Fritz, the first American to reach a Grand Slam final since Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009, saw three break points pass in the first game of the third set.

But Sinner made his fourth double fault in the final, giving Fritz a 4-3 lead.

With his back against the wall, the Italian top favorite broke back in the tenth game when Fritz defended the set and held on to 6-5.

He took two championship points when a dispirited Fritz hit a forehand and sealed the win when the American scored.