Sinner-Alcaraz: 1 a.m. on 9/8, Hanoi time.
The rest of the tennis world has had to accept supporting roles as Sinner and Alcaraz turn every tournament into their own personal showcase. Similar to the "Big 3" era, their dominance is shaping modern tennis while also making it more predictable.
The two have met in the finals of the last five tournaments they've both played, including the upcoming US Open. This marks the first time in the Open Era that three Grand Slam finals in a single year have featured the same two players.
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Sinner (left) and Alcaraz face off again in the US Open final, having each won a final at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Photo: USO |
Sinner (left) and Alcaraz face off again in the US Open final, having each won a final at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Photo: USO
The rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz, already intense after Roland Garros, escalated after the Wimbledon final. There, Sinner ended a five-match losing streak against Alcaraz with a four-set victory, dethroning the two-time defending champion. Their competition added another layer of unpredictability at the Cincinnati Open final when Sinner had to retire mid-match.
All eyes are now on the US Open. A victory would solidify Sinner's number one ranking, not just in the world but also in this year's Grand Slams with three titles. Conversely, a win for Alcaraz would tie their major title count at 2-2 for the year and also give him the world number one spot.
In official matches, Alcaraz holds the advantage with 9 wins out of 14 encounters against Sinner. In Grand Slams and finals, Alcaraz also leads with 3-2 and 4-3 records, respectively. His confidence is further boosted by his semifinal victory over his long-time rival Novak Djokovic.
With these advantages and seemingly better fitness, Alcaraz has a strong chance to win his second US Open title. However, the weather could add an element of drama. If rain or lightning occurs as forecast, the Arthur Ashe Stadium roof will be closed, similar to the women's singles final between Aryna Sabalenka and Amanda Anisimova. These conditions are considered to favor Sinner, as the environment will be closer to an indoor hard court, where he excels.
Sinner's concern is his health. In his semifinal win against Felix Auger-Aliassime, he required medical attention for abdominal pain. This is not a new challenge for Sinner, who also suffered an elbow injury during his Wimbledon triumph. This is his fifth consecutive Grand Slam final. At 24, Sinner is the youngest player to reach all four Grand Slam finals in a year, a feat previously achieved only by legends like Rod Laver, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.
While Sinner boasts a 27-match winning streak in hard-court Grand Slams, Alcaraz became the first player since Federer in 2009 to defeat Djokovic in straight sets in a hard-court major semifinal. Alcaraz has not dropped a set at this year's US Open. A historic milestone awaits him if he defeats Sinner 3-0, as no one has ever won the tournament without losing a set.
Vy Anh
