Jannik Sinner schooled Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 to win his second Grand Slam title of the season with a trophy at the US Open on Sunday.
The 23-year-old from the German-speaking northern alpine region becomes the first Italian man to lift the trophy at Flushing Meadows, overwhelming the frustrated American national No. 1 in two and a quarter hours.
He joins compatriot Flavia Pennetta, who claimed the women’s title in 2015.
Sinner came from a break down in the final set closing the gap and triumphing in his first match point as Fritz hit the net with a return.
He was presented the trophy by former great Andre Agassi and dedicated his victory to an ill relative.
“This means so much, the last period of my career have not been easy, my team supports me every day.
“But outside of tennis there is also a life. I want to dedicate this win to my aunt, who is not feeling well healthwise; it’s nice that I can share this moment with her.
“She is a very important person in my life. I would wish everyone the best health but unfortunately it’s not possible.”
Sinner ended with 23 winners and 21 unforced errors, breaking Fritz six times.
.”I train a lot for these kind of big matches,” he said. “I did pretty well, I guess.
“We went day by day, tried to practice well and believed in ourselves – that’s the most important.
I’m very happy and proud to share this moment with my team.”
Sinner added: “Thanks for being so fair in this huge arena.”
The Italian becomes the fourth man in around half a century to win his first two career grand Slam titles in the same calendar year
“There have been so many big wins for me this season. But the sport never stops. I can still improve but can be proud of what I’ve done. I can’t wait for continued progress.”
Sinner took control from the start with a break of Fritz to start the final, with the American challenger sending a smash straight into the net.
But Fritz shook off his early nerves to break back for 2-all in hopes of making a match in his first Grand Slam final.
Sinner overcame his slight lull three games later with a second break of Fritz and polished off the set in 43 minutes with a concluding break as the Californian put a forehand long after saving a pair of set points.
The Italian top seed began the second with a love game, but Fritz lifted his level, losing only two points on serve through to the 10ht game, when the American suddenly dropped three more, with Sinner seizing the set from a Fritz return into the net.
Sinner overcame a minor crisis in the first game of the third set, forced to save three break points before smashing over a winner for 1-0 as he re-established command.
He broke Fritz as the American served for the third set on his way to the trophy with a straight-sets performance.
Locals remain winless at the home major since Andy Roddick won it in 2003.
Sinner’s title was his second Grand Slam after the Australian Open this season and his sixth of 2024. The Italian has won his last 11 matches after claiming the Cincinnati warm-up title three weeks ago.
He is the ATP No. 1 to lift the men’s singles title here since Rafael Nadal in 2017.
Fritz could barely hide his obvious disappointment at his performance.
“To e an American at the US Open is an incredible feeling.
“I know we’ve been waiting for a champion for a long time – sorry I couldn’t get it done.
“But I’ll keep working and hope to get it the next time. It was still an amazing two weeks.
“Jannik played an amazing match, he was just too good.”
