Jannik Sinner storms to second Grand Slam title of season with victory over Taylor Fritz and US Open triumph

Updated 08/09/2024 at 22:19 GMT

Top seed Jannik Sinner produced a masterclass to quiet the boisterous New York fans inside the Arthur Ashe Stadium and defeat home favourite Taylor Fritz in straight sets as he claimed the US Open title in style. The Italian secured his second Grand Slam crown of the season after he triumphed at the Australian Open at the start of the campaign, while for Fritz it was a disappointing conclusion.

Highlights: Sinner beats Fritz to claim US Open title

Jannik Sinner was in no mood to allow a party in New York as he overcame American hope Taylor Fritz in straight sets in the US Open final on Sunday evening.

The 23-year-old was in electric form as he powered through the opening two sets with minimal fuss.

Fritz pushed him to the brink in the third before the Italian clinched the final set 7-5.

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It was the type of match that separated the good from the great. Sinner, calm and composed at every stage, duly raised his game when it mattered.

Sinner was commanding for the opening two sets as Fritz's serve faltered. Every time he failed with his serve, Sinner's forehand put the American on the back foot.

And that was the theme of the entire match. Fritz had to fight to keep up with Sinner. If he failed or made a mistake, the Italian made an example of him.

In the second set, Fritz had seemingly sorted many of his first-set issues and kept on par with Sinner for a time, but the mishits and mistakes kept coming, and his opponent kept punishing him.

He dragged Fritz into long, drawn-out rallies and exchanges that the American eventually drowned in, Sinner's forehand a constant thorn in Fritz's side.

The third set was ready to go the way of the first two. Fritz had been strangled up to this point until a period of unexpected brilliance suddenly turned the match on its head.

When Fritz erupted, the Arthur Ashe Stadium exploded in noise with him, finally feasting after having been fed scraps for two sets.

Unlike Frances Tiafoe's naturally charismatic style, which keeps the crowd engaged at all times, the final's audience relied solely on Fritz scoring his biggest points to turn up the volume. When he elevated his game in the third set, the crowd responded.

A subtle and unexpected drop shot from Fritz lured Sinner in, allowing him to fire a volley past a frozen Sinner.

Then, with Sinner being put off balance by the sudden accuracy of Fritz's shots, the latter was able to wrap up the seventh game with another deft drop shot and take the lead.

The game was so close to falling into Fritz's hands but crucially, Sinner still seemed calm and collected.

Sinner's US Open campaign has lived under the shadow of his drug issues, and conversations around it. A controversy which exploded in March eventually found the world No. 1 bore no fault or negligence after twice testing positive for a banned substance.

Through the last two weeks, and especially on Sunday, Sinner has shown his mental strength. With the entirety of Flushing Meadows against him, rooting for Fritz, he fired back with the heaviest of artillery to leave his rival startled and suddenly bereft of the momentum he worked so hard to build.

The penultimate point summed it up for Fritz, having set his forehand up perfectly, he fired long. Fritz looked defeated and downtrodden and Sinner, trying to hide his smile, knew he had the trophy in the bag.

Sinner, who is the first Italian man to win the US Open, opened up about the problems he has experienced recently.

“The last period of my career was not easy,” Sinner said. “I love tennis. But I realise there is a life outside. I want to dedicate this to my aunt. I don’t know how much longer I will have her in my life. She was an important person in my life. I wish everyone the best health but it’s not possible."

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