Carlos Alcaraz produced a masterclass to beat Jannik Sinner 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 and clinch his second US Open title.
It was the third Grand Slam of 2025 to be decided by this titanic clash, fast becoming tennis’ most high-profile rivalry, but the Spaniard extended his lead in the head-to-head with his sixth career major title and second of the year.
The victory will also see him retake the No1 spot in world rankings, usurping Sinner.
Speaking after the match, Alcaraz congratulated Sinner on a strong season, joking that “I see you more than my family!”
He added that it was a ‘privilege’ to have won at Flushing Meadows again: "This is super special for me. The three weeks I spent here are a privilege. I feel at home and feel the energy and love here."
A drained Sinner was rather more sombre in his assessment: “I tried my best today. I couldn't do any more.”
The match was delayed as heightened security delayed fans entering the ground, but once proceedings eventually got underway, Alcaraz wasted no time in stamping his authority.
After winning the toss and opting to receive first, he broke Sinner in the first game of the afternoon, and did so again later in the set as the Italian struggled to find his feet.
But the momentum swung dramatically into the second set as Sinner suddenly grew in confidence, his formidable serve leaving Alcaraz’s head spinning.
With the match level at a set apiece, it could have gone either way, but Alcaraz quickly put his set two wobbles to bed. He mirrored his first set success in breaking Sinner at the first time of asking, and carried that momentum to the finish, only dropping one game.
Alcaraz’s confidence grew exponentially. Among a rash of statement shots delivered in the third set was a pinpoint overhead smash, hit from the baseline before bending narrowly out of Sinner’s reach to tag the far corner of the court.
Such shots seemed to drain the fight from Sinner, and the fourth set was something of a formality as Alcaraz continued his solemn march to victory.
He only required one break in the final set, and it came relatively early on after Sinner overcooked his typically precise serve and was promptly punished.
Sinner gave it his all as he pushed for a vital break in the fourth set’s final game, but, despite battling to deuce, he could not rescue the result and again tasted defeat at the hands of Alcaraz.
