New York, September 8(HS): Carlos Alcaraz continued his ascendancy in men’s tennis on Sunday, defeating Jannik Sinner 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the U.S. Open final to secure his second title at Flushing Meadows and reclaim the world No. 1 ranking.

The 22-year-old Spaniard, who surrendered the top spot to Sinner earlier this summer, dominated under the closed roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium after rain in New York delayed the start. Alcaraz, who dropped only one set in the entire tournament, delivered a commanding performance to outlast his Italian rival in their third Grand Slam final this season.

The match marked another chapter in the growing “SinCaraz” rivalry that has defined men’s tennis over the past two years. Sinner, 24, had beaten Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final in July, while Alcaraz prevailed at Roland Garros. Sunday’s victory gave the Spaniard a 10-5 edge in their head-to-head encounters and a narrow 6-4 lead in career major titles.

The contest highlighted Alcaraz’s explosive athleticism and resilience. After conceding the second set, he surged back with punishing forehands and pinpoint serving to take full control. An ace on championship point sealed his triumph, sending the New York crowd—alongside high-profile attendees including former U.S. President Donald Trump—into an electrified ovation.

With this victory, Alcaraz not only denied Sinner the chance to defend his U.S. Open crown but also extended the two-decade streak of no male player successfully retaining the title since Roger Federer in 2008. Their rivalry, with majors split evenly in 2024 and 2025, continues to shape the modern era of tennis, evoking comparisons to past icons Nadal and Djokovic.

Alcaraz now stands with two U.S. Open titles, building his legacy as the new face of the sport while reaffirming his reign at the top of men’s tennis.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar