Alcaraz reclaims New York and storms the world number one spot

New York (EFE).- Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz was crowned champion of the US Open for the second time in his career this Sunday and regained the world number one two years later after defeating his great rival, Italian Jannik Sinner, in the final by 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 and 6-4.

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It was also his second 'Grand Slam' of 2025 after conquering Roland Garros three months ago and the sixth of his career. Among active tennis players, only the Serbian Novak Djokovic (24) has more 'Grand Slams' in his trophy cabinet.

Alcaraz and Sinner: The Rivalry Defining Generations

Sinner and Alcaraz, 'Sincaraz', protagonists of the great generational rivalry of the moment, had played four finals this year, including Roland Garros (Alcaraz) and Wimbledon (Sinner). The first time in history that two tennis players played the finals of three of the four 'grand slams' of the year. A rivalry that was born, precisely, in New York in 2022, with an epic five-set duel, which lasted 5 hours and 15 minutes and ended at 02.50 in the morning, a record. Alcaraz would end up conquering that tournament, the first 'major' of his career. With his victory this Sunday, Alcaraz also regained the world number one for the first time in two years. The Murcian leaves New York with 11,540 points at the top of the ranking, while Sinner, number one for the last 65 weeks, is now left with 10,780.

One set per head

Perhaps to shake off the pressure, Sinner stated before going on court that he was facing a final against the "best tennis player in the world." He was right.

As he did against Djokovic in the semifinals, Alcaraz opened the final with a 'break' against Sinner. Alcaraz knew that Sinner's biggest weakness in New York had been the low percentage of first serves (56%), so he attacked his second serves. Aggressive with his forehand and with magic shots (a drop shot after a feint to seal the 2-0 or an incredible volley while returning at 3-1), Alcaraz gave Sinner no chance in the first set, conceding only three points on serve. The Murcian broke Sinner's serve for the second time to go 5-2 and closed the first set with a love game. Sinner got into the match in the second set, with a 'break' ball saved in his first game. The Italian found his rhythm, started winning points and soon put Alcaraz in trouble. Broke Alcaraz's serve to love for 3-1, recharging all his confidence. It was the third service game lost by Alcaraz in the entire tournament, after having conceded one to Luciano Darderi in the third round and another to Djokovic in the semifinals. The final moved to Sinner's court: from Alcaraz's short and lethal points to longer exchanges that favored the Italian, who knew how to defend his advantage until he took the set 6-3.

Alcaraz Shows His Claws

Delicate moment for Alcaraz, who had even shown signs of frustration. But the Murcian changed his tune and starred in a crushing third set: a 5-0 partial with two breaks to Sinner and a 6-1 close, 11 winning shots to 1. A real show of authority; the momentum had changed sides. Sinner was affected. He came out for the fourth set, which would be the last, to defend himself and already had to save two 'break' points in an agonizing first game. But with 2-2 on serve, Alcaraz took advantage of the third opportunity he had to break to take a lead that he would no longer relinquish. With 5-4 on serve and 40-15, Alcaraz had two match points. Sinner saved them. In the memory of Roland Garros, when the Italian had three championship points before seeing how Alcaraz came back. Today, Alcaraz got to his third match point in the 'deuce'. He didn't forgive. It lasted 2 hours and 42 minutes.

Carlos Alcaraz: unstoppable and historic

A triumph of great merit: Sinner, considered the great dominator of the fast court, had until this Sunday 27 consecutive victories on this surface in 'Grand Slam'. Today, the Italian was betrayed by his serve: 48% first serves, 4 double faults and only 2 'aces'. "Today I gave it my all. I couldn't do more," Sinner said at the awards ceremony. "You were better," he told Alcaraz. "I see you more than my family," the man from Murcia replied jokingly, alluding to the great rivalry that the two are brewing. Alcaraz reaches world number one as the great dominator of 2025: he is the tennis player who has won the most matches with a record of 61-6 (24-2 in 'Grand Slam') and the one who has won the most titles (7): Roland Garros, the US Open, the Masters 1,000 of Cincinnati, Rome and Monte Carlo and the ATP 500 of Rotterdam and Queen's.