By Alvarax Kelly
Carlos Alcaraz avenged Jannik Sinner’s mighty phenomenal Wimbledon triumph over him last June by a collected ice cool devastating four set triumph to claim the US Open title and in the process climbing to the world No 1 spot in relegating the Italian into second place before a sell out crowd at New York’s Arthur Ashe Stadium.
It was a tumultuous rocketing back to the prominence Alcaraz had basked in before his June Wimbledon disaster at the hands of Sinner who had stormed to regality from a holocaust at the hands of his great rival to stopping him in his tracks when in sight of a historic third title in typical contrasting shifts of their standings.
The two modern greats who have transcended the sport by their great rivalry, were unfazed by a security delay by US President Donald Trump’s presence to watch the final as Alcaraz who got off with a bang.
Sinner’s confident start was quickly rocked by Alcaraz’s explosive returns in a vast change from that wimbledon calamity with his serve all firepower and even Sinner’s ability to soak up pressure could not prevent the early break.
Alcaraz confused his great opponent by a diverse variety repertoire driven by a strong serve that kept his opponent guessing, playing with variety with just two breaking lapses.
He went on to drive home the first set advantage serving with pace and precision with gaining only three receiving points.
Alcaraz has often shown a propensity to dip more than Sinner and a drop-off in the second set was punished.
Sinner raised the stakes, hitting his trademark ferocious groundstrokes and pushing Alcaraz back with an improved return of serve, ultimately levelling the match after decisively breaking in the fourth game.
The touch paper had been lit – and thankfully Ashe was now pretty much full to witness it.
Like the Wimbledon final eight weeks earlier, a delicately-poised match after two sets quickly turned one-sided.
Alcaraz broke early in the third by again taking time away from Sinner, rediscovering his first serve and touch at the net, before cruising a double break ahead as his artistry shone through.
Sinner, who had struggled with an abdominal issue in his semi-final, continued to make uncharacteristic errors in the fourth set.
After losing serve for the fifth time in the match, he did not seriously threaten to break back before Alcaraz served out victory.
“I tried my best today – I couldn’t do more,” Sinner said.