ATP
Sinner sweeps Fritz to win US Open
Jannik Sinner schooled Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 to win his second Grand Slam title of the season with a trophy at the US Open on Sunday.
The 23-year-old from the German-speaking northern alpine region becomes the first Italian man to lift the trophy at Flushing Meadows, overwhelming the frustrated American national No. 1 in two and a quarter hours.
He joins compatriot Flavia Pennetta, who claimed the women’s title in 2015.
Sinner came from a break down in the final set closing the gap and triumphing in his first match point as Fritz hit the net with a return.
He was presented the trophy by former great Andre Agassi and dedicated his victory to an ill relative.
“This means so much, the last period of my career have not been easy, my team supports me every day.
“But outside of tennis there is also a life. I want to dedicate this win to my aunt, who is not feeling well healthwise; it’s nice that I can share this moment with her.
“She is a very important person in my life. I would wish everyone the best health but unfortunately it’s not possible.”
Sinner ended with 23 winners and 21 unforced errors, breaking Fritz six times.
.”I train a lot for these kind of big matches,” he said. “I did pretty well, I guess.
“We went day by day, tried to practice well and believed in ourselves – that’s the most important.
I’m very happy and proud to share this moment with my team.”
Sinner added: “Thanks for being so fair in this huge arena.”
The Italian becomes the fourth man in around half a century to win his first two career grand Slam titles in the same calendar year
“There have been so many big wins for me this season. But the sport never stops. I can still improve but can be proud of what I’ve done. I can’t wait for continued progress.”
Sinner took control from the start with a break of Fritz to start the final, with the American challenger sending a smash straight into the net.
But Fritz shook off his early nerves to break back for 2-all in hopes of making a match in his first Grand Slam final.
Sinner overcame his slight lull three games later with a second break of fritz and polished off the set in 43 minutes with a concluding break as the Californian put a forehand long after saving a pair of set points.
The Italian top seed began the second with a love game, but Fritz lifted his level, losing only two points on serve through to the 10ht game, when the American suddenly dropped three more, with Sinner seizing the set from a Fritz return into the net.
Sinner overcame a minor crisis in the first game of the third set, forced to save three break points before smashing over a winner for 1-0 as he re-established command.
He broke Fritz as the American served for the third set on his way to the trophy with a straight-sets performance.
Locals remain winless at the home major since Andy Roddick won it in 2003.
Sinner’s title was his second Grand Slam after the Australian Open this season and his sixth of 2024. The Italian has won his last 11 matches after claiming the Cincinnati warm-up title three weeks ago.
He is the ATP No. 1 to lift the men’s singles title here since Rafael Nadal in 2017.
Fritz could barely hide his obvious disappointment at his performance.
“To e an American at the US Open is an incredible feeling.
“I know we’ve been waiting for a champion for a long time – sorry I couldn’t get it done.
“But I’ll keep working and hope to get it the next time. It was still an amazing two weeks.
“Jannik played an amazing match, he was just too good.”
Holger Rune battled past injured Carlos Alcaraz to spoil the Spanish Easter party at the Barcelona Open, with the Dane lifting the trophy 7-6 (6), 6-2.
The pair of 21-year-olds were familiar foes, having played 20 times in juniors before hitting the Tour; Rune won the first 500 series title of his career and his fifth overall.
Alcaraz was treated three times in the second set after an apparent injury to his upper right thigh/groin after duelling hard in the opening set at the Real Club.
The loss will send Alcaraz back to third in the rankings, with Alexander Zverev moving back to second behind Jannik Sinner as a result of winning the Munich title on Sunday.
Rune, a first-round victim last week in Monte Carlo, reversed his clay momentum in Spain, handing Alcaraz a first loss of a set for the week.
The Spanish top seed’s two final shots both clipped the top of the net and fell back as Rune raised his hands in celebration after 97 minutes on court in the Catalan capital.
“This means the world,” the winner said. “I started the match stressed, he was playing big-time tennis.
“I was able to find my rhythm after he broke me (3-2 in the opening set) and I got more into the match.
“The first set was a big battle with a lot of important points. It was super-important to win the set and gain momentum.
“I’m so proud of myself.”
Rune ended with 18 winners while the ailing Alcaraz produced 33 unforced errors. The Dane claimed his 50th match win on clay and levelled his Tour record in the series to 2-2.
Rune said he channeled Novak Djokovic’s Paris Olympic gold medal win from last summer over Alcaraz as he struggled to turn his game around in Barcelona.
“I asked myself what Novak did to win that final. I (realised) that I didn’t need to hit every ball on the line. I need to make him play and hit a lot of balls.”
Rune, who won the elite Paris Bercy Masters 1000 title in 2022, finally began reversing a 13-match loss streak against top five opponents.with his title victory.
Alcaraz may be racing for fitness with the Madrid Masters starting on Wednesday as the ATP ploughs ahead with an unpopular two-week format for Masters tournaments despite growing protest from exhausted players.
Main photo:- Holger Rune celebrates Barcelona win – by ATPTour.com
Alexander Zverev turned 28 on Sunday and awarded himself a third title on his home Munich clay as he beat Ben Shelton 6-2,6-4 to win the ATP event.
The 2017 and 2018 champion here is now threatening Carlos Alcaraz as the pair duel for the world No. 2 position which the Spaniard took over last week after winning Monte Carlo.
Zverev schooled lefthander Shelton in 70 minutes for a second win in their series. The winner becomes the second to hold three Munich titles after countryman Philipp Kohlschreiber (2007, 2012, 2016).
“I’m enjoying my birthday so far,” Zverev said. “It’s extremely special to win in Germany, the most special thing I can do.
January’s Australian Open finalist added: “It’s definitely a great birthday present, I knew I had to play my best today, conditions were very hot and very fast.They were perfect for me.”
The winner broke three times while never facing a challenge to his serve from Shelton as he claimed a sixth career title at the 500-Tour level.
Main photo:- Alexander Zverev with his “birthday” trophy – by BMW Open/Bitpanda
Alexander Zverev gave fans in Munich what they were after as the top seed rolled into the final of the clay ATP in Bavaria with a 7-6 (3), 6-3 defeat of Fabian Marozsan.
World No. 3 Zverev, who won the titles in 2017 and 2018 needed 91 minutes to advance into a title match with Ben Shelton.
The American earned his spot with a .2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-4 defeat of Argentine Francisco Cerundolo.
Zverev advanced with nine aces and broke twice in the tidy win over his Hungarian opposition.
“It’s awesome. The entire week has been great. Everybody is really enjoying the weather as well as the new Center Court,” the winner said. .
“I’m enjoying myself and hopefully I will have another great day tomorrow.”
Shelton reached his fourth career final, becoming the first American man to reach a clay final above ATP 250 level since Andre Agassi won the Rome Masters 23 years ago.
“It’s a big win for me. To get a win on clay against a guy like him gives me a lot of confidence,” Shelton.
“I’m really happy and excited to be in a 500-level final in Europe, my second clay-court tournament this season.
“I’ve been playing well this week and I’m not too stressed right now.”
Main photo:-Alexander Zverev winning in front of his home crowd – by ATPTour.com
Sabalenka hoping to turn her luck in Stuttgart
Rune rises to the occasion with defeat of Alcaraz
Zverev grabs a birthday gift with third Munich title
-
Dubai3 weeks agoKasatkina confirms move to Australia
-
ATP4 weeks agoHenman joins Team Europe as Noah’s assistant
-
ATP4 weeks agoDimitrov casts his spell on Khachanov
-
Rouen5 days agoDart apologizes for “stinky” opponent jibe
-
Miami Open4 weeks agoPaolini powers past Osaka in Miami
-
ATP3 weeks agoBadosa aims for back injury return by Madrid
-
Miami Open4 weeks agoRaducanu set for huge rankings boost after Miami Open win
-
Miami Open4 weeks agoPhilippine teen swats Swiatek in Miami