Sublime Alcaraz outshines Sinner to claim second US Open title

NEW YORK: Carlos Alcaraz ended the reign of Jannik Sinner with a 6-2 3-6 6-1 6-4 victory to claim the US Open title again on Sunday (Sep 7) and tighten his grip on the era-defining rivalry between the torch-bearers of the men's game.

In a perfect echo of the triumph that first propelled him to the world number one spot in 2022, Alcaraz's New York title took him back to the top of the rankings as the 22-year-old Spaniard displaced Sinner and lifted his Grand Slam trophy haul to six.

It made him the second youngest man in the professional era that began in 1968 to win six majors, after Bjorn Borg, and also snapped Sinner's staggering 27-match winning run at hardcourt majors to dent the Italian's sparkling season.

The Spaniard, who turned heads with his surprise buzz cut at the start of the tournament, departs as the toast of New York on a 13-match winning streak with seven titles and only six defeats in 2025.

"I want to start with Jannik, it's unbelievable what you're doing the whole season, great level during every tournament that you're playing ... I'm seeing you more than my family," said Alcaraz, who took his win-loss record with Sinner to 10-5.

"It's great to share a court, to share the locker room, to share everything with you.

"I'm just really proud about the people I have around. Every achievement I'm having is because of you, thanks to you ... this one is yours."

As grey clouds hovered over the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium, Alcaraz continued to deliver the sunshine tennis that has lit up Flushing Meadows over the last fortnight, consolidating an early break by faking a drop to hit a winner that wrong-footed Sinner.

He beamed after pulling off an outrageous half-volley at the net and wrapped up the opening set shortly