Alcaraz Overpowers Sinner, Wins Second US Open Crown

Carlos Alcaraz, US Open
Carlos Alcaraz (photo: Jürgen Hasenkopf)

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON, September 8, 2025 (by Michael Dickens)

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz faced off for the 2025 US Open men’s singles title Sunday afternoon, both looking to win their second New York City hard-court crown. At the end of the afternoon, only one would be successful in their quest to attain victory: Alcaraz, who defeated Sinner in four sets with a dominant serving performance.

By now, the 24-year-old Italian and 22-year-old Spaniard were familiar foes from meeting in four previous finals this season, including at the French Open (a five-hour, 29-minute 5-set epic won by Alcaraz) and the Wimbledon Championships (won by Sinner in four sets). 

Cavernous Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. provided the venue for their fifth final meeting of the 2025 season as they became the first duo to meet in three Grand Slam men’s singles finals in one season in the Open Era. Alcaraz and Sinner also joined Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal (four in 2011-12) as the only men to play each other in three consecutive Grand Slam finals. 

With the World No. 1 ranking on the line to the winner of the title showdown, Sinner brought a 27-match winning streak on hard courts at Grand Slam level into the final, bidding to become the first man to defend his US Open title since Roger Federer won five consecutive New York titles from 2004-08 and to end the longest drought without a men’s title defense of any Grand slam tournament in the Open Era. 

As for Alcaraz, he merely came in leading the ATP tour in wins (60) and titles (6) this season – and aimed to become the second-youngest man in Open Era-history after Bjorn Borg to win six Grand Slam titles. He would also become the fourth man in tennis history to garner multiple Grand Slam titles on clay (2), grass (2) and hard courts, after winning the 2022 US Open, joining Djokovic, Nadal and Mats Wilander with a victory over Sinner.

What once was a dream final matchup has become the expected matchup in men’s tennis. In their 15th career head-to-head clash, Alcaraz won for the 10th time, beating Sinner 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in two hours and 42 minutes with a solid all-around performance before more than 23,000 fans. Now, Alcaraz (61-6 this season) can boast of having won more titles than losses. Sunday’s victory moved Alcaraz ahead of Sinner in total Grand Slam trophies (6-4) and in US Open championships (2-1). He received his Tiffany & Co. champion’s trophy from three-time US Open champion Ivan Lendl and also earned a whopping $5 million in prize money for winning the US Open.

Alcaraz also will move him ahead of Sinner in the PIF ATP Rankings, when they’re updated on Monday, as the new World No. 1. It’s his first time at the top since September 2023 as he begins his 37th week at No. 1. Meanwhile, Sinner, who was appearing in his fifth-consecutive major final, will drop to No. 2 after spending 65 weeks at the top of the ATP Rankings.

While Alcaraz and Sinner have dominated the majors since the start of the 2024 season, winning each of the last eight Grand Slams, Alcaraz has won seven of their last eight meetings – including five of their last six finals – and two of the three majors they faced each other this year.

Alcaraz finished the championship final with 42 winners – including 10 aces – and made 24 unforced errors. He won 83 percent (45 of 54) of his first serve points, won 20 of 27 net exchanges and converted five of 11 break points. Alcaraz outpointed Sinner 112-89. By comparison, Sinner hit 21 winners – two of them aces – and committed 28 unforced errors. He won only 69 percent (37 of 54) of his first-serve points, 19 of 26 net points (73 percent), and converted his only-break point opportunity, in the second set. Overall, Alcaraz showed he was the stronger and faster player.

“My team, my family, I am really lucky to have you guys, to be honest,” Alcaraz said during his trophy ceremony speech. “The hard work you do to make me even better, not only in the professional part, but the personal part as well. Every achievement that I am [making] is thanks to you, and this one is no less, it’s also yours.”

The title match started at 2:50 p.m. – 50 minutes late – due to heightened security measures in place to accommodate the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump. As Alcaraz and Sinner began to play with the roof closed, Arthur Ashe Stadium appeared about half full as several thousands of fans were forced to wait in long lines outside on the South Plaza, still waiting to get through security. When Trump was shown on video screens inside the stadium, where he was a guest of Rolex in its private suite, many fans unleashed a loud round of mostly boos.

Alcaraz gained an opening-game break after winning the toss and electing to receive and consolidated it for a quick 2-0 lead as Sinner made several unusual – for him – unforced errors. Soon, Alcaraz grabbed ahead a double-break lead at 5-2 after Sinner made a backhand unforced error netting a volley return. It was Sinner’s ninth unforced error of the set and it gave Alcaraz a chance to serve out the opening set. He did just that by hitting a pair of forehand winners, then Sinner aided Alcaraz by hitting a pair of forehand forced errors. After 37 minutes, it was Alcaraz with the better start and playing more aggressive tennis with a one set-to-none lead after winning it 6-2.

Next, after a slow start, Sinner broke Alcaraz for the first time to go ahead 3-1 in the second set after hitting a fine forehand winner. It was just the third break of Alcaraz in the entire tournament. Then, he held for 4-1 after Alcaraz lost the game with a forehand unforced error. Sinner maintained a break lead at 5-3 and closed it out on his serve after Alcaraz lost the set by hitting an unforced error on a forehand volley return. It was the first set all tournament long that Alcaraz had lost. After an hour and 19 minutes, it was a set apiece for each competitor and the best-of-5 final had been narrowed to a best-of-3 shootout. It was the fourth time in six major meetings that Alcaraz and Sinner had split the first two sets.

As the third set unfolded, Alcaraz blitzed his way into a 3-0 lead after bookending a break of Sinner with a pair of solid holds. He won the third game with a dynamic forehand volley winner, his 21st winner of the match, to establish momentum early in the set as the crowd responded with thunderous applause. Then, Alcaraz upped the ante to a 4-0 double-break lead with another break of Sinner and consolidated it for 5-0 behind a pair of service aces – two-dozen minutes of dominance by the Spanish superstar and a dip in levels from the defending champion.

Suddenly, after being broken just four times the entire New York fortnight, Sinner had been broken four times in the final. After Sinner avoided a bagel set by holding at 15, Alcaraz closed out the third set at 6-1 with a backhand forced error as the match reached an hour and 50 minutes in duration. It was an amazing turn-around in this riveting final between the two best players in men’s tennis.

Heading into the fourth set after dominating the third, Alcaraz had struck 27 winners while making just 16 unforced errors, compared to Sinner’s totals of 15 winners and 22 unforced errors. He had scored 18 more total points as Sinner struggled to connect with his powerful groundstrokes from the baseline.

At 2-all, Alcaraz broke Sinner for the fifth time in 11 tries, set up by the Italian’s fourth double fault and a forehand unforced error. With a 3-2 lead, Alcaraz consolidated the break with his ninth ace to push ahead 4-2. Soon, a love hold that included Alcaraz’s 10th ace, gave him a 5-3 lead – needing just one more hold of serve to win his second US Open title and sixth major overall. After Sinner held at 30, after Alcaraz lost the game with a backhand unforced error, he came out of the changeover and looking confident and relaxed. His 14th forehand winner gave him a 30-0 advantage and two points later had championship point at 40-15 on his racquet. 

Sinner saved one championship point after Alcaraz hit a forced error off a forehand, then saved a second one with a backhand winner. Next, Alcaraz gained his third championship point with a forehand smash winner and, finally, won with a service winner – a tremendous serve out wide that barely touched Sinner’s racquet. 

The championship victory was Alcaraz’s to savor. He and Sinner shared hugs and smiles at the net. All was good between them. Then, as has been Sinner’s custom this New York fortnight after winning, he mimicked a golf swing with his tennis racquet while sporting a big smile on his face. Immediately, Alcaraz raced to his team’s box and hugged his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero and shared high-fives with family, friends and fans.

During the trophy ceremony, Sinner took his loss in stride. He gave props to Alcaraz and his team in his speech after he accepted his runner-up plate. 

“You are doing an amazing job,” he said. “I know [there’s] a lot of hard work behind this performance today. You were better than me. Enjoy it. It’s a great moment. …

“A lot of big stages and matches we’ve played throughout the season. I’m super happy to share this moment with you, my family who’s at home, all the people I love, my friends. I tried my best today. I couldn’t do more.”

Later, during his post-match news conference, Sinner admitted he had become too “predictable” and said he needs to evolve his overall game in order to remain competitive against Alcaraz.

“I was very predictable today on court,” he said. “He did many things, he changed up the game. That’s also his style of how he plays. Now it’s going to be on me if I want to make changes or not. That’s definitely [what] we are going to work on. I’m trying to be more prepared for the next match that I will play against him.”

During the trophy ceremony, Alcaraz praised Sinner, saying: “It’s unbelievable what you’re doing during the whole season. Great level every tournament you’re playing. I’m seeing you more than my family. It’s great to share the court, to share the locker rooms, everything.”

By the end, Sinner had dropped to 4-2 in major finals – both losses coming to Alcaraz. Meanwhile, Alcaraz celebrated his sixth Grand Slam title in eight career finals – the second one he’s won this year – while adding another US Open crown to his collection. He has now won two French Open titles, two Wimbledon crowns and twice has raised the trophy at Flushing Meadows.

It’s the first year since 2002 that a member of “The Big Three” – Federer, Djokovic, Nadal – had not won a major title. Instead, say hello to “The New Two.” Make no mistake, they’re here to stay. The Sincaraz Era is upon us.

Around the US Open

Perhaps overlooked among the pandemonium surrounding Aryna Sabalenka winning her second-straight US Open women’s singles title, earlier Saturday Japan’s 19-year-old Tokito Oda completed a Golden Slam by winning his first US Open men’s wheelchair singles title.

Oda collapsed in tears after he defeated his doubles partner, Gustavo Fernandez of Argentina, 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (11), in two hours and 12 minutes on Court 11. The duo earlier won the men’s wheelchair doubles title together on Friday. 

Against Fernandez, Oda struck 49 winners despite being outpointed 100-98. He saved four championship points during the final. 

Previously, Oda had won each of the other three majors – Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon Championships as well as the 2024 Paralympic Games gold medal. He has accumulated a total of seven Grand Slam titles. The US Open title was his third major crown this season.

“This result is what I imagined every day after the Wimbledon,” Oda said. “[This] match was maybe [the] craziest of my career.”

By the numbers

• Over the last two seasons, Jannik Sinner has gone 1-7 against Carlos Alcaraz. Against the rest of the ATP Tour, he’s 109-4.

• All four of Aryna Sabalenka‘s Grand Slam titles have been won on hard courts – two Australian Open (2023-24) and two US Open (2024-25). It’s the same number as Naomi Osaka, with whom Sabalenka now shares third place on the active major-winners list. Only Venus Williams (7) and Iga Swiatek (6) have won more.

“Quotable …”

“Going into this final, I decided for myself that I’m going to control my emotions. I’m not going to let them take control over me, and doesn’t matter what happens in the match. If she breaks me back or if she plays incredible tennis – of course, it’s a finals, and she’s going to be fighting, especially after recent final, I knew that she would love to have, like a better result. My mindset was just going out there, fight for every point. Doesn’t matter of the situation. Just focus on myself and focus on things that I have to do to win the match.”

– 2025 US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka, during her champion’s news conference Saturday, after defeating Amanda Anisimova, 6-3, 7-6 (3) to win her second-straight US Open women’s singles title.

 

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