New Delhi: World no. 1 Jannik Sinner scripted history as he became the first Italian man to clinch the US Open singles title at Flushing Meadows. It was the second Grand Slam win of his career when he defeated home favourite Taylor Fritz in straight sets 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday. The 23-year-old is now only the second Italian to have claimed the elite title after Flavia Pennetta.
This is Sinner’s maiden US Open title and a second Grand Slam win of the year as well, having won the Australian Open 2024. The 23-year-old Italian was eliminated in the semifinals of French Open 2024 and Wimbledon last year. Sinner’s final clash with Fritz lasted for two hours and 16 minutes with the latter playing his first-ever Grand Slam final. Fritz entered the final on the back of wins over 2022 US Open finalist Casper Ruud and world no. 4 Alexander Zverev.
But Sinner made him look as if he was nowhere near to beat him. The last time an American won the homely title was Andy Roddick back in 2003 who claimed the men’s singles title. The tournament saw American finalists in both men’s and women’s events at the Meadows for the first time since 2002, only to be defeated ultimately. On Saturday, Jessica Pegula went down against World no. 2 Aryna Sabalenka 5-7, 5-7 in the women’s singles final.
JANNIK SINNER IS A TWO-TIME GRAND SLAM CHAMPION!! pic.twitter.com/E5VYumaSz6
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 8, 2024
How did the match fare?
Sinner took charge of the game when he went 2-0 up with an early break of serve in the first set but only to see Fritz earning back the break. It seemed as if Sinner knew he didn’t have any scope of leniency as he earned two more breaks and closed the set in just 41 minutes. The American was let down as he had a winning percentage of 38 from his initial serves.
The 26-year-old homeboy however tried to keep Sinner under pressure during the second set with the scorecard once looking 4-4. It was then that Sinner brought forth his excellence and broke Fritz’s serve to go 5-4 up, after which he held on to his serve to win the next game and go two sets up. Frotz improved on his first serves and won 83 percent of the points but Sinner outclassed him by winning all the 14 points.
Both were at 3-3 in the third and final set as Fritz earned a crucial break to go 4-3 and had an opportunity to close the set but Sinner got back the break to make it 6-5. With the next game at 40-15, Sinner bagged two championship points. The game was put to bed when Fritz committed an unforced error on a forehand volley.
Jannik Sinner defeated home favourite Taylor Fritz in straight sets in the men’s singles US Open 2024 final at the Flushing Meadows on Sunday to claim his first-ever US Open title. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
