Unplayable Alcaraz conquers Sinner in US Open classic, reclaims World No. 1
Carlos Alcaraz proved too strong for rival Jannik Sinner, winning 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to claim a hard-fought revenge for his Wimbledon final defeat and reclaim the world No. 1 ranking.
Carlos Alcaraz, US Open 2025 | © AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth/ SIPA
Carlos Alcaraz showcased a vintage display of attacking tennis to defeat rival Jannik Sinner 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in an astounding US Open final on Sunday, securing his second title at Flushing Meadows and returning to the pinnacle of men’s tennis.
In a match that lasted two hours and 42 minutes, the 22-year-old Spaniard closed out the victory with a blistering ace, sealing his sixth Grand Slam title and his second of the season following the French Open, a feat that also saw him ascend to the World No. 1 ranking for the first time since November 2023. The victory mirrors his 2022 US Open triumph, which also propelled him to the top spot.
Alcaraz’s words at the end highlight just how meaningful this achievement is for him, his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, and his entire team. “To my team and family, I’m lucky to have you”, Alcaraz said. “Honestly, it’s an honor. The hard work you do makes me better—not just professionally, but personally as well.(…) Every achievement I’ve had is because of you, and this one is yours too. The support I receive from all of you means everything.”
The final statistics tell a story of Alcaraz’s offensive superiority. He finished the match with a staggering 41 winners to Sinner’s 21, and a cleaner sheet of just 24 unforced errors compared to Sinner’s 28. His serve was the key to victory, as he won a remarkable 83% of his first-serve points, while Sinner managed 69%. Alcaraz also committed no double faults and fired 10 aces.
Sinner existed in the second set
Alcaraz, who entered the final having not dropped a set all tournament, began the match with the same ruthless efficiency that had defined his fortnight. He was unplayable in the opening set, moving with lightning speed and hitting his forehand with punishing topspin. His flawless performance was reflected in a stat sheet that showed only three unforced errors and just two points lost on his own serve as he took the set with a commanding 6-2 scoreline.
The momentum, however, shifted dramatically in the second set. With Alcaraz leading 2-1, a rare lapse in focus and a sudden drop in first-serve percentage allowed Sinner to break. The top-seeded Italian capitalised on the opportunity, finding his rhythm and holding serve to take the set 6-3 and level the match at one set all, offering a glimmer of hope to his fans that a third consecutive major final between the two rivals might go the distance once more.
Alcaraz cruised
That hope was short-lived. Just as quickly as his form had wavered, Alcaraz rediscovered his best tennis in the third set. He reasserted his dominance on serve, combining precision with raw power to once again overwhelm Sinner. The set unfolded almost identically to the first, with Alcaraz dictating play from the baseline and relentlessly pressuring his opponent, who struggled to contain the Spaniard’s relentless forehand and constant changes of pace. Alcaraz cruised to 5-0 then a 6-1 set win.
The fourth set saw Sinner, the defending champion, dig deep, fighting to stay in a match that appeared to be slipping away. He saved two crucial break points at the start of the set, a moment of clutch tennis that drew a roar from the Arthur-Ashe Stadium crowd. But Alcaraz refused to yield.
At 5-4, the Spaniard earned two match points on his serve. Sinner, known for his mental fortitude, saved both, one with a magnificent winning backhand return that just clipped the line. However, the reprieve was temporary. Alcaraz secured a third match point and, with a final, unanswerable serve, sealed his place in tennis history.
