Carlos Alcaraz has re-established his dominance in men's tennis, defeating rival Jannik Sinner in a four-set final to win the US Open title for the second time in his career. The 22-year-old Spaniard won the match 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, reclaiming the world No. 1 ranking from Sinner and securing his sixth Grand Slam trophy. The victory marks Alcaraz as the second-youngest man in the Open Era to reach this Grand Slam title tally, behind only Bjorn Borg.
The final, which was the third consecutive Grand Slam final between the two rivals this year, was another engaging contest. The match was delayed by 30 minutes due to the presence of US President Donald Trump, but once underway, Alcaraz started strong. He showcased a superior serving game, which had been a key focus for him after his loss to Sinner at Wimbledon. Alcaraz's focus on his serve paid off, as he was broken only once throughout the match and was able to dictate points with his power and variety.
Despite the early pressure, Sinner, who had an abdominal issue in his semifinal match, fought back in the second set, taking advantage of a brief dip in Alcaraz's level. However, Alcaraz quickly regained control in the third set, breaking Sinner's serve early and cruising to a dominant 6-1 set win. Sinner made uncharacteristic errors throughout the match, a factor he later acknowledged, saying, "I tried my best today, I couldn't do more."
The fourth set saw Sinner attempt another comeback, but Alcaraz's artistry and resilience shone through. He secured a crucial break in the fifth game and served out the victory on his third championship point. The win extended Alcaraz's head-to-head record against Sinner to 10-5 and provided a fitting end to their rivalry this season, where they each won two Grand Slam titles.
Alcaraz was gracious in victory, joking with Sinner during the trophy ceremony, "I see you more than my family." The win not only brings Alcaraz's Grand Slam haul to six but also marks a significant achievement for his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, who reached the world No. 1 ranking exactly 22 years ago after the 2003 US Open. With Alcaraz's return to the top, the tennis world is now watching to see if he can continue his historic run.
