Defending champion Jannik Sinner overcame a stern challenge from Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime to book his place in the U.S. Open final, winning 6-1 3-6 6-3 6-4 on Friday to set up a mouth-watering clash with Carlos Alcaraz.
Earlier in the day, Alcaraz had stunned 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic in straight sets, and Sinner’s victory ensured the renewal of one of tennis’s most compelling rivalries. The Italian world number one will now contest his third consecutive major final against the Spaniard.
Despite misfiring at times, Sinner found the composure to grind out the win, becoming only the fourth man in the Open Era after Rod Laver, Roger Federer and Djokovic to reach all four Grand Slam finals in a single season.
“Amazing season,” Sinner said. “The Grand Slams are the most important tournaments we have and finding myself again in another final, especially the last one this season, with an amazing crowd… It doesn’t get any better.”
Also Read: Cincinnati Open: Sinner, Sabalenka Power into Quarter-Finals
Auger-Aliassime, contesting his second semi-final at Flushing Meadows, fought hard to level the match after dropping the first set but could not sustain the pressure. Sinner required a medical timeout for a stomach issue in the second set yet regained his rhythm to edge the next two sets with clutch serving and precise baseline play.
“I saw Felix was injured at some point, so hopefully it’s nothing bad. He’s an amazing player and person, so it’s always nice to share tough matches with him,” Sinner added.
The win sets up a trilogy of finals between Sinner and Alcaraz this year. Alcaraz saved three matchpoints to beat the Italian in the French Open final before surrendering his Wimbledon crown to Sinner in July. The pair first met in a memorable U.S. Open quarter-final in 2022, when Alcaraz prevailed in five sets before lifting the trophy.
“I feel our rivalry started here, playing an amazing match,” Sinner said. “We’re two different players now with different confidence, so let’s see what’s coming. We know each other very well—it’s going to be another amazing challenge.”
The final takes place on Sunday at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
