Tennis
U.S. Open
live
Updated 1m ago
Carlos Alcaraz leads Jannik Sinner in the opening set of the U.S. Open men’s final.
Alcaraz has broken Sinner twice in the first set. The score is Sinner 2-5 Alcaraz*.
President Donald Trump is at today’s final and drew boos with a smattering of cheers from the crowd. The final was delayed because “of the security measures in place” because of Trump’s attendance.
We’re still hearing from a lot of readers who are stuck outside. This from Alex M:
📧 “We are still outside the finals. The family next to us have courtside seats but they are watching on the TV screen outside the stadium instead.”
Keep the updates coming — live@theathletic.com.
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Really impressed with Carlos Alcaraz off the return today. He's lost four points today returning Jannik Sinner's second serve.
Just hitting the ball with pace and authority from the baseline in this first set. He has 10 winners, seven of them off the forehand.
Ditto at Indian Wells, the China Open and Roland Garros last year.
In Paris and London, the player who won the first set lost the match.
Sinner 2-5* Alcaraz
Sinner is looking flustered here.
He is missing shots, including a few at the net in that game, that you just would not expect him to miss when he is firing.
Alcaraz is moving through the gears now with his own game — and appears to be winning the mental battle as well.
Sinner *2-4 Alcaraz
As if to answer that question on whether this set will be determined in Sinner’s service games, Alcaraz blitzes through his own and wins it without reply from Sinner.
Such efficiency from the No. 2 seed to secure that game.
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At the moment Sinner seems to be playing the same level as he did against Auger-Aliassime in the semifinal, which is like a 6 on his rating I would say. I don't think that will be good enough over five sets.
Sinner 2-3* Alcaraz
In the early games of this first set, it looks that way.
Sinner’s games on serve are becoming something of a battleground but he manages to hold again.
In the middle of that game, Alcaraz won a stunning dig volley and mouthed, “Wow” afterwards. We don’t blame him — it was that good.
The U.S. Open has finally generated a line more formidable that the ones for a Honey Deuce.
Three games into the first set, large throngs of fans are still queued outside Arthur Ashe Stadium to try to get in, packed tightly together while going through metal detectors much like those seen at airports.
Along with the giant clumps, two thick lines stretch back along the sides of Fountain Plaza, thinning out past the dual outdoor bars and near the walkway from the complex’s south entrance.
Many of these folks might be lucky to get inside by the second set.
Oh my WORD what a dig volley from Carlos Alcaraz moving forward to get that shot. Fans around me stood up and applauded.
Alcaraz has settled quickest after what will have been a challenging build-up for both competitors.
Tennis players time their nutrition, hydration, stretching and mental exercises to the nth degree, especially ahead of a Grand Slam final. Having the match delayed by 30 minutes at relatively short notice will have led to disruption and changes to that routine.
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Sinner 1-3* Alcaraz
And he wins it with a trademark drop shot!
He missed a few of those in his semifinal but landed a lovely one there.
Sinner has seven unforced errors to Alcaraz’s two so far in this match but had a bit of joy testing the depth of his forehand in a rally during that game.
The daily tradition of showing celebrities during the changeover continues. Pink, Lindsay Lohan are shown. But the loudest roars are for Danny DeVito, who flashes a peace sign.
Alcaraz is using his heavy spin on the forehand when on the defensive in rallies to jump the ball out of Sinner's strike zone and prevent him crushing one down the line.
Sinner 1-2* Alcaraz
There we go, as Sinner watches an Alcaraz return run long, he has his first hold.
Alcaraz defended well in that game but Sinner was able to crank up the pressure.
Alcaraz is feeling his forehand beautifully – the dummy drop shot deep slice he hit to hold for 2-0 is always a sign that he's feeling good.
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Sinner *0-2 Alcaraz
Faster progress through that service game for Alcaraz, despite Sinner getting a few points on the board.
The power the Spaniard is generating off his racket head is remarkable.
After Carlos Alcaraz shows off his blazing forehand in the opening game, there are still tons of empty seats.
Several fans are still outside waiting to get inside Arthur Ashe Stadium due to the heightened security measures.
Feels strange that a final of this magnitude isn’t a full house at first ball.
Smart call from Alcaraz getting Sinner to serve first. Four forehand errors and a couple on the backhand side, and Alcaraz has the immediate break.
Alcaraz has been broken only twice all tournament, but Sinner will be much a stiffer test in that regard.