Top seed Jannik Sinner proved why he is the No.1 player in the world, emphatically putting American Taylor Fritz to the sword in a 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 victory to claim his first US Open title.
The 23-year-old arrived in New York under a dark cloud after news broke that he had failed two doping tests found to be one billionth of a gram of Clostebol, before being cleared of any wrongdoing.
It was the third meeting between the pair, split at one victory apiece at Indian Wells.
Nerves were understandably evident in Fritz’s first Grand Slam final, broken in the opening game in front of a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium.
A further two breaks for the Italian wrapped up the opening set, helped by Fritz’s below-average 38 per cent of first serves made.
Incredibly, Sinner committed only one unforced error in set two, stamping his authority on a contest that was quickly getting out of reach for the American, who found himself trailing by two sets.
The third set was the most competitive as Fritz captured a crucial break which provided him the chance to serve for the set at 5-4, before the poise of Sinner shone bright - raising his arms in the air in sheer relief to seal a straight sets win in two hours and 15 minutes.
The camera panned to a devastated Fritz on the bench before the trophy ceremony with his hands on his face.
He became the first American since Andy Roddick in 2006 to reach the final at Flushing Meadows.
“Being an American at the US Open is just incredible,” he said.
“I’ve been feeling the love all week. Thank you so much. I know we’ve been waiting for a champion for a long time so I’m sorry I couldn’t get it done this time, but I’m gonna keep working and hopefully I’ll get it the next time.”
For the champion, it was a moment to cherish with his support team who only they understand what the Italian had endured over the past few months.
“This title means so much,” said Sinner who extends his lead by 4115 points at the summit of the ATP rankings.
“The last period of my career has not been easy, but I have my team and family who support me.
“I love tennis, but off court there is a life also, and 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.”
Sinner extends his 2024 record to 55-5, including 35-2 on hard courts - reaffirming himself as the undisputed hard court king.
Having already claimed the Australian Open earlier this year, the four Grand Slams in 2024 have been split evenly with Carlos Alcaraz - the first time it has happened since Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in 2019.
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