(New York-Flushing Meadows) - A first-time US Open champion in men’s singles will be crowned in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday when world No. 1 Jannik Sinner meets the major’s first American men’s singles finalist in 18 years, 12th seed Taylor Fritz.
It is a perfect day to play tennis; mild weather conditions have embraced a sunny Sunday in New York City.
As one arrives at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the atmosphere transparences the calm before the storm.
The Arthur Ashe Stadium is empty, yet the voices of the fans who have attended the 14-day tournament ecco in the stands as glory awaits the brave, those who will hit the court to battle for a maiden career US Open title in just a couple of hours.
This season, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner has experienced what it feels like to become a major winner, setting off the year in outstanding fashion by lifting the Australian Open trophy. It was only the beginning of a season in which he became nearly unbeatable.
On a 10-match winning streak, the Italian player has earned the chance to become the fourth different and youngest man to win both hardcourt Grand Slam titles in a single season.
The 23-year-old run in New York included high-level performances against in-form American Tommy Paul, a fourth-set thriller to overcome former champion Daniil Medvedev as a memorable semifinal in which he produced his best level when needed to triumph over Briton Jack Draper, contesting the biggest match of his career.
On Wednesday, Sinner achieved another career milestone, becoming the only player to reach all four slam quarterfinals this season.
The man to beat in 2024 will face off against 12th seed Taylor Fritz on Sunday, the major’s first American men’s singles finalist in 18 years.
On his way to a maiden career slam final, the world No. 12 left behind former runner-up Casper Ruud and fourth seed Alexander Zverev in a matchup for the ages, setting up an all-American box office semifinal.
On Friday, the 26-year-old got the better of 20th seed Frances Tiafoe in five epic sets to lock in the 2024 US Open finalists.
In his on-court interview after making it through to the biggest final of his career, Fritz outlined: “It’s the reason I do what I do, the reason why I work so hard.
“It’s a dream come true, and I’m going to give it everything I possibly have. I know that for a fact.”
Adding: “I told myself if I didn’t give it absolutely everything I had and stick with it and see if his level might drop a little bit, I would regret it for a long time.”
Monumental semifinal battles, extremely demanding physically from which neither of the title contenders escaped without scars.
Sinner captured his ticket to a second slam championship match in his sixth appearance at Flushing Meadows but along came an injury scare.
When mid-point at 4-4, 15/30 in the second set, he fell hard on the floor on his left wrist behind the baseline while playing a sublime point he won, returning quickly to his feet to fire a massive forehand winner.
However, in the changeover, he received treatment from the physio, visibly in pain, returning to the court and progressing to the ultimate stage.
Meanwhile, Fritz battled for three hours and 18 minutes under humid weather conditions to beat Tiafoe.
How well Sinner and the No. 1 American racquet recover will be key for the championship outcome.
Sinner and Fritz are tied 1-1 in their head-to-head series on tour; they faced one another for the last time at the 2023 Indian Wells quarterfinals, a clash contested on the hard court surface, with the Italian emerging victorious in three sets.
