Jannik Sinner received his second Grand Slam title of 2024 on Sunday when he swept apart Taylor Fritz within the US Open remaining, shattering American hopes of a primary male champion on the majors in 21 years.
World primary Sinner, who received his maiden Slam on the Australian Open in January, grew to become the primary Italian man to triumph in New York with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 victory.
For 23-year-old Sinner, it was a fifty fifth match win of the season and sixth title.
After his 21-year-old rival Carlos Alcaraz pocketed the French Open and Wimbledon titles to take his majors assortment to 4, the 2 males have cemented their locations because the powerhouses of tennis’s new period.
“This title means a lot,” mentioned Sinner who arrived in New York underneath a cloud after it was revealed he had failed two drug assessments however escaped sanction.
“The final interval of my profession has not been simple however I’ve my group and household who help me.
“I really like tennis however off courtroom there’s a life additionally and I wish to dedicate this trophy to my aunt as a result of she just isn’t properly and I don’t know the way for much longer I’ll have her in my life.
“She was an important a part of my life and nonetheless is. It’s good to share this together with her.”
World quantity 12 Fritz was bidding to be the primary American man since Andy Roddick in New York in 2003 to win a serious.
He was backed by A-list superstar help amongst the 23,000-strong crowd inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Pop queen Taylor Swift watched alongside boyfriend and NFL star Travis Kelce whereas Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey was arduous to overlook as he donned a Stars and Stripes headband.
“It has been a tremendous two weeks. Congratulations to Jannik, he performed an important match. He was very spectacular and was too good as we speak,” mentioned Fritz.
– ‘Subsequent time’ –
“I’m sorry I couldn’t get it carried out however I’ll preserve working and I really feel I’ll get it the subsequent time.”
Sinner raced to a 2-0 lead within the first set earlier than Fritz settled and levelled for 2-2.
The 26-year-old American saved a break level on the again of an exhausting 23-shot rally within the fifth sport however quickly slipped 4-3 down.
Sinner pounced once more with a 3rd break to assert the opening set as Fritz fired a backhand lengthy.
The 2 gamers had solely dropped serve a mixed 20 instances over six rounds every on the match earlier than Sunday’s remaining.
That power shone via within the second set with the primary 9 video games all service holds till the tenth.
Sinner then carved out two set factors however solely wanted one, a deep forehand forcing Fritz right into a determined scramble earlier than he buried his return limply within the internet.
By that stage of the ultimate, Sinner had dedicated simply 9 unforced errors to the 19 of Fritz in an a illustration of his management of the courtroom.
Fritz, the primary American man in any Grand Slam remaining since Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009, noticed three break factors come and go within the first sport of the third set.
However Sinner served up his fourth double fault of the ultimate handy Fritz a 4-3 lead.
Together with his again to the wall, the Italian high seed then broke again within the tenth sport as Fritz served for the set and held for 6-5.
He went to 2 championship factors when a disheartened Fritz ballooned a working forehand and sealed victory when the American netted.
AFP
