Carlos Alcaraz, the 22-year-old Spaniard and current world No. 2, started the 2025 US Open men’s final with an immediate break of serve against Jannik Sinner, the 24-year-old Italian and world No. 1, at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, New York, on Sunday, September 7. The match, marking their third straight Grand Slam final clash this year, began at 2 p.m. local time, delayed by 30 minutes due to heightened security measures prompted by President Donald Trump’s presence, and continues under a closed roof due to recent rain. Alcaraz, unbeaten in sets throughout the tournament, aims for his sixth major title and the No. 1 ranking, while Sinner, the 2024 champion, seeks to repeat the feat for the first time since Roger Federer in 2008 and claim his third Slam of the year. Broadcast to millions worldwide, the match underscores a rivalry dominating men’s tennis, with the duo winning eight of the last nine majors, cementing a historic monopoly.
Alcaraz imposed his versatile game from Sinner’s opening serve, forcing errors with powerful forehands and precise drop shots that tested the Italian’s movement, still adjusting after a grueling semifinal against Felix Auger-Aliassime. Trump, watching from a VIP suite, drew mixed boos and cheers from the New York crowd, but attention quickly returned to the court, where Alcaraz consolidated the break with a solid hold, moving to 2-0. Sinner, known for his baseline consistency, responded with a firm service game, but Alcaraz extended his lead with another break, capitalizing on rare double faults from his rival. The 23,000-strong crowd, filling Arthur Ashe despite entry delays, erupted during long rallies reminiscent of their epic Roland Garros final in June, where Alcaraz staged a 0-2 comeback to win in five sets after saving three match points.
In the third game, Sinner showed signs of recovery, mixing slices and approaching the net to apply pressure, but Alcaraz, with 85% first-serve points won, maintained control and closed the set in 38 minutes at 6-2, with 10 winners to Sinner’s 4. This opening performance mirrors Alcaraz’s flawless tournament run, defeating players like Novak Djokovic in the semis 6-4, 7-6, 6-2 without dropping a set in six rounds. Sinner, who overcame an abdominal scare in the semis, boasts a 26-1 Slam match record this year. The break between sets allowed Sinner to tweak his strategy, focusing on aggressive returns to counter Alcaraz’s improved serve, which delivered 38 aces in the tournament so far.
The Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry, dubbed “Sincaraz,” took shape in 2022 at this very court in a five-hour, 15-minute quarterfinal, where Alcaraz saved a match point to advance. Since then, they’ve raised the bar, splitting titles in Melbourne, Paris, London, and now New York, with Alcaraz leading the head-to-head 9-5. This year, Alcaraz won in Rome and Roland Garros, while Sinner took the Australian Open and Wimbledon, tying 2-2 in majors. Celebrities like Bruce Springsteen and Stephen Curry in the stands add to the spectacle, but the No. 1 ranking is the true prize: an Alcaraz victory would dethrone Sinner after 65 weeks at the top.
Early strategies set the match’s tempo
Alcaraz entered the court with his trademark explosive energy, wielding his forehand to dictate points, while Sinner relied on precise groundstrokes to build long, grueling rallies. In the first set, Alcaraz won 81% of first-serve points, pushing Sinner into defensive positions, leading to 12 unforced errors from the Italian. Sinner, with only 53% first serves in, struggled to find rhythm but saved two break points in the fourth game with 122-mph serves.
- Alcaraz mixed drop shots and slices to disrupt Sinner’s baseline game, converting 2 of 3 break points.
- Sinner hit 4 forehand winners but committed 3 double faults that cost key games.
- Alcaraz led in aces (2-0), while Sinner won 56% of second-serve points.
- Average rallies of 8 exchanges highlighted their endurance, with Alcaraz covering 85% of the court.
This early dynamic echoes Wimbledon, where Sinner rallied after dropping the first set, but the hard court favors Alcaraz’s heavy topspin, enabling sharper angles and variations. Sinner, with 38 consecutive game wins in Grand Slams before this final, needs to elevate his return game, which converted only 25% of break points in the tournament.
Trump’s presence sparks mixed crowd reactions
President Donald Trump’s arrival at Arthur Ashe Stadium triggered a blend of cheers and boos, marking his first US Open visit in a decade and the first by a sitting president since Bill Clinton in 2000. Enhanced security, including scanners and extended lines, delayed thousands of fans, leaving the stadium half-empty initially. Trump, in a Rolex suite, appeared on the jumbotron, amplifying reactions: boos dominated from New York’s progressive crowd, with some applause from a smaller group.
This scene contrasted with the sporting focus but underscored the event’s cultural weight. Fans like Emma Kaplan from Brooklyn protested outside with anti-Trump signs, while the USTA issued a statement urging patience. In the arena, the players ignored the noise, with Alcaraz noting pre-match that the presidential presence “is great for tennis.” Sinner, more reserved, stayed focused on preparation, but the incident added extra tension to an already high-stakes day.
The tournament, drawing 1 million visitors over two weeks, leverages such moments to globalize the sport, though they highlight social divides. Still, the crowd quickly rallied behind the athletes, with chants for Sinner and “Vamos!” for Alcaraz echoing after early points.
Flawless paths to a historic final
Alcaraz arrived undefeated in sets, with wins over Reilly Opelka (6-2, 6-4, 6-3), Mattia Bellucci (7-5, 6-2, 6-1), Luciano Darderi (6-3, 6-4, 7-5), Arthur Rinderknech (6-4, 7-6, 6-2), Jiri Lehecka (6-2, 7-5, 6-3), and Djokovic (6-4, 7-6, 6-2). His improved serve, with 38 aces and 85% first-serve points won, neutralized returns, and he committed just 22 unforced errors across six matches. This marks progress since Wimbledon, where he lost serve seven times to Sinner.
Sinner dropped sets to Denis Shapovalov (3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2) and Auger-Aliassime (6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4) but maintained a 92% Slam win rate this year. His semis included a medical timeout for abdominal discomfort, yet he saved 9 of 10 break points, showcasing mental toughness. With 300 ATP career wins at 24, Sinner is the fourth player in the Open Era to reach five consecutive Slam finals, trailing only Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic.
- Alcaraz: 0 sets lost, 114 wins in 133 matches since 2024, 10 titles.
- Sinner: 2 sets dropped, 110 wins in 120 matches, 10 titles, including 4 Slams.
- Head-to-head: Alcaraz 9-5, with 6-2 on hard courts.
- Prize: $3.6 million for the winner, $75 million total tournament purse.
These stats underline why this matchup is inevitable: both have elevated the standard, prompting rivals like Djokovic to admit “they play at another level.”
Sinner’s comeback levels the second set
After Alcaraz’s early dominance, Sinner adjusted in the second set, starting with a solid hold despite slipping on the fast court. In the second game, he broke Alcaraz’s serve with a forehand winner after an 11-shot rally, capitalizing on backhand errors and Alcaraz’s first double fault. The Italian “Carota Boys” in orange erupted, as Sinner consolidated the break with 100% first-serve points.
Alcaraz countered with creative drop shots, but Sinner, more aggressive at the net, converted 2 of 5 break points to lead 4-1. A 102-mph ace sealed his momentum, and despite Alcaraz saving set points with a spirited “Vamos!”, Sinner closed 6-3 after a long forehand from the Spaniard. Now level at one set each, Sinner showed why he’s No. 1, winning 9 of 13 second-serve points, flipping the first-set stat.
This resilience recalls Wimbledon, where Sinner won three straight sets after losing the first. Alcaraz, frustrated, swapped rackets, but his elite defense, covering 65% of the court, persists. The third set promises intensity, with Sinner eyeing a tiebreak and Alcaraz seeking variations to regain rhythm.
Stats reveal tight battle for the top
By the second set’s end, metrics show a close contest: Alcaraz with 12 winners and 8 unforced errors, Sinner with 10 winners and 10 errors, but the Italian leads in second-serve points (57%). Alcaraz holds an ace edge (2-1), but Sinner converted more break points (2/5 vs. 2/3). In the tournament, Alcaraz boasts 81% serve efficiency, while Sinner saved 90% of break points.
- Total winners: Alcaraz 22, Sinner 18.
- Unforced errors: Alcaraz 12, Sinner 15.
- Net points: Alcaraz 4/5, Sinner 3/4.
- Average rally length: 9 shots, with Sinner winning 60% of longer exchanges.
These Infosys-collected stats highlight their mutual evolution: Sinner improved his second serve to 56% points won, while Alcaraz varies angles more. The final, with $3.6 million at stake, could go to five sets, like their 5h29 Roland Garros epic.
Expectations for the third set and beyond
With the score tied at 1-1, the third set starts with Alcaraz serving, under pressure to restore his dominant serve. Sinner, now confident, may target Alcaraz’s forehand, which erred 4 times in the prior set. The crowd, still settling after delays, creates an electric atmosphere, with Springsteen singing anthems between points.
Analysts predict a classic, with Sinner chasing a third Slam this year and Alcaraz aiming to reclaim No. 1. The Italian, with 27 straight hard-court major wins, has an edge in endurance, but Alcaraz’s creativity could tip the scales. A five-setter would be the longest since 2012.
The 2025 US Open, with a record 1.2 million spectators, cements the Sincaraz era, where both shape the sport’s future.