Alcaraz wins 2nd US Open title as Sinner stumble to defeat

 

“Man or machine?” — that thought kept returning to mind in the early hours of Sunday (Indian time) at Arthur Ashe Stadium as spectators watched Carlos Alcaraz produce yet another exhibition of astonishing tennis. How could anyone play at such a level, especially against an opponent like Jannik Sinner? The Italian, after all, had reached the finals of all four Grand Slams this year, winning two, and came into the match as the World No. 1. But even Sinner could not solve the riddle that was Alcaraz. The Spanish star bulldozed through Sinner’s defenses, winning the final in four sets 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to claim his second US Open title after 2022. With this victory, Alcaraz also regained the World No. 1 ranking, dethroning Sinner.

Alcaraz’s Bold Game Plan

Alcaraz’s strategy was clear from the start — strike first and unsettle Sinner mentally as much as physically. Winning the toss, he opted to let Sinner serve first, and immediately broke him in the opening game. That set the tone. By the seventh game, he had broken again, mixing deep baseline hitting with clever net rushes that crowded Sinner’s space and forced uncharacteristic errors. More than the strokes, it was Alcaraz’s intensity and roaring celebrations after every point that seemed to rattle his usually calm opponent. Sinner, known for his composure, began missing routine shots he normally executes with ease.

Sinner’s Brief Response

The second set offered Sinner a glimmer of hope. He held on to his serve in the opening game despite pressure and then capitalized when Alcaraz overpressed. In the fourth game, Sinner broke serve — the only time Alcaraz lost his serve in the entire tournament. That break proved decisive as Sinner took the set 6-3. It was the only set Alcaraz dropped during the whole US Open 2025. At that stage, it seemed the final might echo their Wimbledon battle earlier in the year, but Alcaraz quickly shut the door on that possibility.

The Turning Point: Third Set Collapse

The third set saw Sinner play some of his worst tennis in recent memory. Alcaraz broke his serve immediately, then again in the fourth game, reeling off five games in a row. Sinner barely avoided a humiliating “bagel” by holding once, but the damage was done. His body language sagged, his first serve faltered, and mentally he seemed drained. Alcaraz, meanwhile, tightened his grip, winning the set 6-1 with ease.

Numbers That Tell the Story

The statistics underscored Alcaraz’s dominance. He won 83% of points on first serve, compared with Sinner’s 69%. He hit 10 aces to Sinner’s 2, committed no double faults, while Sinner faltered with four. Even the rhythm of their serves told the tale — Alcaraz averaged just two minutes per service game, while Sinner labored for nearly four and a half minutes to hold.

Sealing the Title in the Fourth

The fourth set followed a familiar pattern. Alcaraz broke Sinner again and maintained the advantage, forcing the Italian to constantly fight from behind. Though Sinner saved two championship points with flashes of resistance, he couldn’t deny Alcaraz forever. On the third opportunity, the Spaniard unleashed one final winning strike to clinch the match. Sinner left the court visibly dejected, while Alcaraz celebrated reclaiming the throne of men’s tennis.

A Champion Reborn

With this victory, Alcaraz not only added a second US Open trophy to his cabinet but also reclaimed the No. 1 ranking in the world, proving once again why he is widely regarded as the heir to the “Big Three” era. His blend of explosive athleticism, tactical nous, and relentless intensity has made him the player to beat — and in New York, against the best rival possible, he reminded the world that the era of Carlos Alcaraz has only just begun.