World no. 1 Sinner takes US Open title, defeats Fritz in straight sets

Jannik Sinner beat Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 with a relentless baseline game to win the U.S. Open men’s championship on Sunday, less than three weeks after being exonerated in a doping case.

The No. 1-ranked Sinner, a 23-year-old from Italy, won the second Grand Slam trophy of his nascent career — the other was at the Australian Open in January — and prevented No. 12 Fritz from ending a major title drought for American men that has lasted 21 years.

Andy Roddick’s triumph at Flushing Meadows in 2003 was the last Slam title for a man from the United States. The last before Fritz, a 26-year-old from California, to even contest a final at one of the four biggest tournaments in tennis also was Roddick, who lost to Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2009.

Sinner extended his current winning streak to 11 matches and improved to 55-5 with a tour-high six titles in 2024. That includes a 35-2 mark on hard courts, the surface used at both the Australian Open and U.S. Open, and he is the first man since Guillermo Vilas in 1977 to win his first two Grand Slam trophies in the same season, something such greats as Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Federer never accomplished.

Less than a week before competition began at Flushing Meadows, the world found out that Sinner had tested positive twice for anabolic steroids in March but was cleared because his use was ruled unintentional — the banned substance entered his system via a massage from a team member he later fired.

Past U.S. Open men's finals results

2024 — Jannik Sinner def. Taylor Fritz, 6-3, 6-4. 7-5

2023 — Novak Djokovic def. Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3

2022 — Carlos Alcaraz def. Casper Ruud, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (1), 6-3.

2021 — Daniil Medvedev def. Novak Djokovic, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

2020 — Dominic Thiem def. Alexander Zverev, 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (6).

2019 — Rafael Nadal def. Daniil Medvedev, 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4.

2018 — Novak Djokovic def. Juan Martin del Potro, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3.

2017 — Rafael Nadal def. Kevin Anderson, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4.

2016 — Stan Wawrinka def. Novak Djokovic, 6-7 (1), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3.

2015 — Novak Djokovic def. Roger Federer, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.

2014 — Marin Cilic def. Kei Nishikori, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.

2013 — Rafael Nadal def. Novak Djokovic, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.

2012 — Andy Murray def. Novak Djokovic, 7-6 (10), 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2.

2011 — Novak Djokovic def. Rafael Nadal, 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-1.

2010 — Rafael Nadal def. Novak Djokovic, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.

2009 — Juan Martin del Potro def. Roger Federer, 3-6, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2.

2008 — Roger Federer def. Andy Murray, 6-2, 7-5, 6-2.

2007 — Roger Federer def. Novak Djokovic, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2), 6-4.

2006 — Roger Federer def. Andy Roddick, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1.

2005 — Roger Federer def. Andre Agassi, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (1), 6-1.

2004 — Roger Federer def. Lleyton Hewitt, 6-0, 7-6 (3), 6-0.

2003 — Andy Roddick def. Juan Carlos Ferrero, 6-3, 7-6 (2), 6-3.

2002 — Pete Sampras def. Andre Agassi, 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.

2001 — Lleyton Hewitt def. Pete Sampras, 7-6 (4), 6-1, 6-1.

2000 — Marat Safin def. Pete Sampras, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.

1999 — Andre Agassi def. Todd Martin, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (2), 6-3, 6-2.

1998 — Patrick Rafter def. Mark Philippoussis, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-0.

1997 — Patrick Rafter def. Greg Rusedski, 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5.

1996 — Pete Sampras def. Michael Chang, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (3).

1995 — Pete Sampras def. Andre Agassi, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5.

1994 — Andre Agassi def. Michael Stich, 6-1, 7-6 (5), 7-5.

1993 — Pete Sampras def. Cedric Pioline, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3.

1992 — Stefan Edberg def. Pete Sampras, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-2.

1991 — Stefan Edberg def. Jim Courier, 6-2, 6-4, 6-0.

1990 — Pete Sampras def. Andre Agassi, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2.

1989 — Boris Becker def. Ivan Lendl, 7-6 (2), 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4).

1988 — Mats Wilander def. Ivan Lendl, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.

1987 — Ivan Lendl def. Mats Wilander, 6-7 (9), 6-0, 7-6 (4), 6-4.

1986 — Ivan Lendl def. Miloslav Mecir, 6-4, 6-2, 6-0.

1985 — Ivan Lendl def. John McEnroe, 7-6 (1), 6-3, 6-4.

1984 — John McEnroe def. Ivan Lendl, 6-3, 6-4, 6-1.

1983 — Jimmy Connors def. Ivan Lendl, 6-3, 6-7 (2), 7-5, 6-0.

1982 — Jimmy Connors def. Ivan Lendl, 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.

1981 — John McEnroe def. Bjorn Borg, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-3.

1980 — John McEnroe def. Bjorn Borg, 7-6 (4), 6-1, 6-7 (5), 5-7, 6-4.

1979 — John McEnroe def. Vitas Gerulaitis, 7-5, 6-3, 6-3.

1978 — Jimmy Connors def. Bjorn Borg, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.

1977 — Guillermo Vilas def. Jimmy Connors, 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-0.

1976 — Jimmy Connors def. Bjorn Borg, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (9), 6-4.

1975 — Manuel Orantes def. Jimmy Connors, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.

1974 — Jimmy Connors def. Ken Rosewall, 6-1, 6-0, 6-1.

1973 — John Newcombe def. Jan Kodes, 6-4, 1-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.

1972 — Ilie Nastase def. Arthur Ashe, 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (1-5), 6-4, 6-3.

1971 — Stan Smith def. Jan Kodes, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (5-3).

1970 — Ken Rosewall def. Tony Roche, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5-2), 6-3.

1969 — Rod Laver def. Tony Roche, 7-9, 6-1, 6-3, 6-2.

1968 — Arthur Ashe def. Tom Okker, 14-12, 5-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

1967 — John Newcombe def. Clark Graebner, 6-4, 6-4, 8-6.

1966 — Fred Stolle def. John Newcombe, 4-6, 12-10, 6-3, 6-4.

1965 — Manolo Santana def. Cliff Drysdale, 6-2, 7-9, 7-5, 6-1.

1964 — Roy Emerson def. Fred Stolle, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.

1963 — Rafael Osuna def. Frank Froehling III, 7-5, 6-4, 6-2.

1962 — Rod Laver def. Roy Emerson, 6-2, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.

1961 — Roy Emerson def. Rod Laver, 7-5, 6-3, 6-2.

1960 — Neale Fraser def. Rod Laver, 6-4, 6-4, 9-7.

1959 — Neale Fraser def. Alex Olmedo, 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4.

1958 — Ashley Cooper def. Mal Anderson, 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 10-8, 8-6.

1957 — Mal Anderson def. Ashley Cooper, 10-8, 7-5, 6-4.

1956 — Ken Rosewall def. Lew Hoad, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.

1955 — Tony Trabert def. Ken Rosewall, 9-7, 6-3, 6-3.

1954 — Vic Seixas def. Rex Hartwig, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.

1953 — Tony Trabert def. Vic Seixas, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.

1952 — Frank Sedgman def. Gardnar Mulloy, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3.

1951 — Frank Sedgman def. Vic Seixas, 6-4, 6-1, 6-1.

1950 — Art Larsen def. Herbie Flam, 6-3, 4-6, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.

1949 — Pancho Gonzales def. Ted Schroeder, 16-18, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4.

1948 — Pancho Gonzales def. Eric Sturgess, 6-2, 6-3, 14-12.

1947 — Jack Kramer def. Frank Parker, 4-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-0, 6-3.

1946 — Jack Kramer def. Tom Brown, 9-7, 6-3, 6-0.

1945 — Frank Parker def. Bill Talbert, 14-12, 6-1, 6-2.

1944 — Frank Parker def. Bill Talbert, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

1943 — Joe Hunt def. Jack Kramer, 6-3, 6-8, 10-8, 6-0.

1942 — Ted Schroeder def. Frank Parker, 8-6, 7-5, 3-6, 4-6, 6-2.

1941 — Bobby Riggs def. Frank Kovacs, 5-7, 6-1, 6-3, 6-3.

1940 — Donald McNeill def. Bobby Riggs, 4-6, 6-8, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5.

1939 — Bobby Riggs def. Welby van Horn, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.

1938 — Don Budge def. Gene Mako, 6-3, 6-8, 6-2, 6-1.

1937 — Don Budge def. Gottfried von Cramm, 6-1, 7-9, 6-1, 3-6, 6-1.

1936 — Fred Perry def. Don Budge, 2-6, 6-2, 8-6, 1-6, 10-8.

1935 — Wilmer Allison def. Sidney Wood, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3.

1934 — Fred Perry def. Wilmer Allison, 6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 8-6.

1933 — Fred Perry def. Jack Crawford, 6-3, 11-13, 4-6, 6-0, 6-1.

1932 — Ellsworth Vines def. Henri Cochet, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

1931 — Ellsworth Vines def. George Lott, 7-9, 6-3, 9-7, 7-5.

1930 — John Doeg def. Frank Shields, 10-8, 1-6, 6-4, 1-6, 16-14.

1929 — Bill Tilden def. Frank Hunter, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.

1928 — Henri Cochet def. Frank Hunter, 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.

1927 — Rene Lacoste def. Bill Tilden, 11-9, 6-3, 11-9.

1926 — Rene Lacoste def. Jean Borotra, 6-4, 6-0, 6-4.

1925 — Bill Tilden def. Bill Johnston, 4-6, 11-9, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

1924 — Bill Tilden def. Bill Johnston, 6-1, 9-7, 6-2.

1923 — Bill Tilden def. Bill Johnston, 6-4, 6-1, 6-4.

1922 — Bill Tilden def. Bill Johnston, 4-6, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4.

1921 — Bill Tilden def. Wallace Johnson, 6-1, 6-3, 6-1.

1920 — Bill Tilden def. Bill Johnston, 6-1, 1-6, 7-5, 5-7, 6-3.

1919 — Bill Johnston def. Bill Tilden, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3.

1918 — Lindley Murray def. Bill Tilden, 6-3, 6-1, 7-5.

1917 — Lindley Murray def. Nat Niles, 5-7, 8-6, 6-3, 6-3.

1916 — Dick Williams def. Bill Johnston, 4-6, 6-4, 0-6, 6-2, 6-4.

1915 — Bill Johnston def. Maurice McLoughlin, 1-6, 6-0, 7-5, 10-8.

1914 — Dick Williams def. Maurice McLoughlin, 6-3, 8-6, 10-8.

1913 — Maurice McLoughlin def. Dick Williams, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, 6-1.

1912 — Maurice McLoughlin def. Bill Johnson, 3-6, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.

1911 — Bill Larned def. Maurice McLoughlin, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.

1910 — Bill Larned def. Tom Bundy, 6-1, 5-7, 6-0, 6-8, 6-1.

1909 — Bill Larned def. Bill Clothier, 6-1, 6-2, 5-7, 1-6, 6-1.

1908 — Bill Larned def. Beals Wright, 6-1, 6-2, 8-6.

1907 — Bill Larned def. Robert LeRoy, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4.

1906 — Bill Clothier def. Beals Wright, 6-3, 6-0, 6-4.

1905 — Beals Wright def. Holcombe Ward, 6-2, 6-1, 11-9.

1904 — Holcombe Ward def. Bill Clothier, 10-8, 6-4, 9-7.

1903 — Laurie Doherty def. Bill Larned, 6-0, 6-3, 10-8.

1902 — Bill Larned def. Reggie Doherty, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 8-6.

1901 — Bill Larned def. Beals Wright, 6-2, 6-8, 6-4, 6-4.

1900 — Malcolm Whitman def. Bill Larned, 6-4, 1-6, 6-2, 6-2.

1899 — Malcolm Whitman def. Parmly Paret, 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5.

1898 — Malcolm Whitman def. Dwight Davis, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1.

1897 — Robert Wrenn def. Wilberforce Eaves, 4-6, 8-6, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2.

1896 — Robert Wrenn def. Fred Hovey, 7-5, 3-6, 6-0, 1-6, 6-1.

1895 — Fred Hovey def. Robert Wrenn, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

1894 — Robert Wrenn def. Manliffe Goodbody, 6-8, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.

1893 — Robert Wrenn def. Fred Hovey, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.

1892 — Oliver Campbell def. Fred Hovey, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.

1891 — Oliver Campbell def. Clarence Hobart, 2-6, 7-5, 7-9, 6-1, 6-2.

1890 — Oliver Campbell def. Henry Slocum, Jr., 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.

1889 — Henry Slocum, Jr. def. Quincy Shaw, 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.

1888 — Henry Slocum, Jr. def. Howard Taylor, 6-4, 6-1, 6-0.

1887 — Richard Sears def. Henry Slocum, Jr., 6-1, 6-3, 6-2.

1886 — Richard Sears def. Livingston Beeckman, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3, 6-4.

1885 — Richard Sears def. Godfrey Brinley, 6-3, 4-6, 6-0, 6-3.

1884 — Richard Sears def. Howard Taylor, 6-0, 1-6, 6-0, 6-2.

1883 — Richard Sears def. James Dwight, 6-2, 6-0, 9-7.

1882 — Richard Sears def. Clarence Clark, 6-1, 6-4, 6-0.

1881 — Richard Sears def. William Glyn, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2.

Prior to 1968, the United States National Championships was an amateur event. It became the U.S. Open in 1968 when the tournament was open to professionals.

What happened Saturday at the U.S. Open?

Aryna Sabalenka held off Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 to win the U.S. Open for the first time. Sabalenka, who lost in the final against Coco Gauff last year in Flushing Meadows, added that title to the two in a row she has won at the Australian Open. Pegula, the No. 6 seed, fell just short while playing in her first major final. Also, Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell of Australia won their first men's doubles Grand Slam title, beating the German team of Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz 6-4, 7-6 (4).

Key stats at the U.S. Open

22 — Grand Slam victories for Sinner in 2024. Only Novak Djokovic (8 times), Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (6 apiece), and Andy Murray (2) have reached that total in one season this century.

17— Victories for Fritz in 2024 at Grand Slam tournaments. Only Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras have won more among American men since 2000.

What was said at the U.S. Open?

“If you’re really working hard and you’re sacrificing everything for a dream, you’re going to get it one day." — Sabalenka, during her interview on the court after the final.

“There was definitely a couple of moments where I tried to not rush and kind of stop myself a little bit and be able to appreciate that crowd noise, because it was definitely super, super loud." — Pegula, on the women's final in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“I think I’m going back to school on Tuesday.” — Mika Stojsavljevic, when the 15-year-old from Britain was asked her plans after winning the U.S. Open junior girls' singles title.