Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz meet in the men’s final of the US Open as the world No 1 takes on both the American No 1 and a fervent crowd.
Sinner, who was cleared off wrongdoing by an independent tribunal after testing positive for the banned Clostebol in March, saw off Britain’s Jack Draper in a hot and heavy semi-final and can clinch the second grand slam title of his career tonight after winning the Australian Open in January.
Fritz got the better of his fellow American Frances Tiafoe in the semi-finals to reach the first grand slam final of his career, and the 26-year-old had to hold back the tears as he processed his achievement. “It’s the reason why I do what I do, it’s he reason I work so hard,” Fritz said of the chance to become a grand slam champion. “I’m in the final of the US Open.”
Follow all the action from the men’s US Open final below
Jannik Sinner faces Taylor Fritz in US Open men’s final | Live from 7pm BST
Fritz is first American man to reach the US Open final since 2006
World No 1 Sinner bidding for second grand slam title of the year
Aryna Sabalenka defeated American Jessica Pegula to win women’s title
Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes among stars in the crowd
19:54 , Jamie Braidwood
Sinner does so well to pick up a deep ball from Fritz and return to the attack, as the American eventually floats long. Sinner finds a big serve and then holds his composure on the second serve to move a game away, as Fritz misses on the return.
19:49 , Jamie Braidwood
It’s been an absorbing start to this final, with many long baseline rallies already. Sinner wins the latest on 15-15, as Fritz then coughs up his first double fault of the final!
So two break points for Sinner: awesome striking from Sinner, pushing Fritz back. Then the drop shot – and a scrambling Fritz nets! Very smooth from the No 1.
19:45 , Jamie Braidwood
Fritz has the upper hand right now – and is frustrated as he’s unable to make the most of a half-chance on 15-30, producing an error.
Instead, Sinner whacks a forehand winner crosscourt and then holds when Fritz nets on the forehand. Back to Fritz.
19:40 , Jamie Braidwood
A massive backhand winner from Fritz facing 15-30, but then the forehand gets away from him and Sinner will have a break point chance.
What a rally! 23 shots on Fritz was inches away from losing it on the defence, as Sinner took over from the baseline.
But he kept it in, as Sinner pushes wide on the forehand. Fritz finds his serve – and holds thanks to a brilliant backhand squeezed down the line!
Three games in a row for Fritz – and this final is heating up nicely!
19:33 , Jamie Braidwood
Much better from Fritz, as he attacks the Sinner second serve and produces the clean winner off the backhand side!
Long from Sinner, so Fritz will have two chances for a break back!
Sinner saves the first, smothering a smash. The Italian’s shot bounced up and hit a girl in the front row behind the baseline.
A second chance for Fritz, but Sinner stays clean in the rally and jams up Fritz with by sticking close to the baseline. The American nets.
Deuce. Huge serve and forehand winner from Sinner, but he makes his first double fault of the final on game point. Back to deuce.
And Fritz takes advantage! The American strikes on the backhand to set up another break point opportunity, as Sinner throws in a big error!
The World No 1 crashes a volley from mid-court into the net, as Fritz gets back into the final!
19:27 , Jamie Braidwood
The crowd rallies behind the American Fritz and erupts when he lands an ace out wide. Fritz then finds great depth and forces a mistake from Sinner, before landing another big serve.
Love-hold. Just what he needed.
Kansas City Chiefs quarter-back Patrick Mahomes watching the final along with Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. There have been as many shots of the crowd than of the action so far! Bon Jovi is watching next to Billie Jean King.
19:24 , Jamie Braidwood
Sinner races to 40-0 on serve, playing another perfect point and finishing with the forehand winner.
He hasn’t missed a ball yet. Tough start for Fritz, who drifts a forehand long.
19:22 , Jamie Braidwood
A perfect start from Sinner, who has come out and found his ball-striking already. That was a nervous smash from Fritz after Sinner threw up a defensive lob. Stunning return and defence from the Italian.
19:21 , Jamie Braidwood
Superb opening point from Sinner to go backhand down the line, forehand down the line for a winner. Fritz went long on the forehand, in a nervy start, and then Sinner outlasts his opponent in a baseline duel.
15-40. And two break points. Fritz goes on the attack and while Sinner defends well to his backhand side, the American finally finds a way past with the forehand winner.
One more break point… huge serve from Fritz but what a return from Sinner! How did he get that?? And Fritz then misses the smash!
19:13 , Jamie Braidwood
Sinner wins the toss, but elects to receive!
Warm-ups done, pictures taken.
Ready to go.
*denotes next server
19:09 , Jamie Braidwood
Here comes Taylor Fritz! The first American man in the US Open singles final in 18 years.
Jannik Sinner follows him out, looking as cool as ever. He’ll need to remain composed today.
The roof is open on Arthur Ashe – it was closed yesterday, due to rain, but it’s a glorious afternoon in New York.
Not too hot, either.
Taylor Swift is here, along with boyfriend Travis Kelce.
19:08 , Jamie Braidwood
Both players are going through some last-minute warm-ups backstage, and will give their thoughts in a quick pre-match interview before coming out on court.
Fritz: “I’m really excited. I’ve waited a long time for this and I love these moments. I’m excited to be out there.”
Sinner: “I feel like every final is different – it’s a special occasion. The crowd has been very fair. Playing against an American, not easy. Hopefully a good match.”
What an intriguing final we have on our hands… we’ll have a new champion, but who?
I’m going for Jannik Sinner, in four sets!
19:03 , Jamie Braidwood
The US Open has more glitz and glamous than the other grand slams and there will be singing of ‘America the beautiful’ before the players come out onto Arthur Ashe.
Matthew McConaughey nods along while wearing an American flag handband.
18:58 , Jamie Braidwood
The stars were out last night for the women’s final, with Steph Curry, Lewis Hamilton and Noah Lyles among the big sporting names in the stadium on Arthur Ashe.
The men’s final is also a hot ticket – especially with the first American men’s finalist since 2006 – and there are rumours that Taylor Swift will be making an appearance too…
18:57 , Jamie Braidwood
Taylor Fritz was emotional after sealing his place in the US Open final and broke down when the significance of his victory started to sink in. The 26-year-old said it was a “lifelong dream come true”.
“It hit me when he [Eubanks] said the thing about how I’m in the finals and the crowd was cheering,” Fritz said. “It’s just kind of like how I am. I’m more of an emotional person when I’m happy. When I’m really happy I cry at happy endings of movies and not at sad stuff. That’s kind of just how I am.
“It’s just joy, the crowd cheering and kind of that realisation, like ‘Wow, I’m in the finals of the US Open. It’s such a lifelong dream come true. Something I’ve worked my whole life for to be in this situation. I think just kind of like realising that got me a little bit choked up.”
18:44 , Jamie Braidwood
Fritz was feeling confident about his chances against Sinner when discussing the match-up after his win over Frances Tiafoe in the semi-finals.
“I’ve always enjoyed playing him,” he said.
“To be honest, I don’t think that I’m going to be put in a more stressful situation than I was today than playing in a final.
“I think today was much more stressful for me than playing the final. I just feel good.
“I have a feeling I’m going to come out and play really well and win. When I play good tennis, I think that level is good enough to win.”
18:31 , Jamie Braidwood
American men to win the US Open since 1990:
It would have been unthinkable when Roddick won the US Open in 2003 that there would not be another men’s champion 21 years later…
Andy Roddick – 2003
Pete Sampras – 2002
Andre Agassi – 1999
Sampras – 1996
Sampras – 1995
Agassi – 1994
Sampras – 1993
Sampras – 1990
18:16 , Jamie Braidwood
Sinner is prepared for Fritz to have the support of the Arthur Ashe crowd tonight, as the American bids to become the first US Open men’s champion since 2003.
“Being in America for sure the crowd will be a little bit more on his side.
“But it’s normal. It’s like when I play in Italy, so I’m gonna accept that.
“I have my team and my people who are close to me.
“In my mind, I know that there are many people watching from home from Italy, and it’s just take some support from them.”
18:01 , Jamie Braidwood
All eyes will be on the condition of Jannik Sinner’s left wrist in the early stages of the US Open final.
The Italian fell on his left hand in the second set of his semi-final against Jack Draper, and received treatment from the physio.
Sinner continued the match and said after his win that he was not in too much discomfort, but added that it could have changed after he had cooled down.
“The physio loosened it up very fast on court, so after I felt okay in the beginning. Then after it went away by playing, which is good,” Sinner said.
“Let’s see how it is tomorrow when it’s cold. It’s gonna be a different feeling. Hopefully is nothing to concern about. I’m quite relaxed, because if it’s something bad, you feel it straightaway a bit more.”
17:44 , Lawrence Ostlere
Sabalenka overcame comebacks from Pegula in both sets to win 7-5 7-5 and claim her third grand slam final.
Report:
Aryna Sabalenka beats Jessica Pegula to earn US Open redemption in gripping final
17:31 , Lawrence Ostlere
Taylor Fritz says his shot at US Open glory on Sunday night will be less stressful than his semi-final win against Frances Tiafoe.
Fritz takes on world No 1 Jannik Sinner as he bids to become the first male American champion in New York since Andy Roddick won in 2003.
“It was two Americans trying to make it to the final,” he said of his semi-final. “Both of us wanted to be the guy to make it to the final. It was to make a US Open final, whoever won it was the American that made it to the final. I mean, it’s a stressful situation to be in.
“It’s different from playing the world No 1, who you’re probably not going to be the favourite against. But I think I’ve always played well against Jannik. It’s been a while since we played but last time he got me in three at Indian Wells.
“I don’t know, he strikes, he hits the ball big, he’s like a very strong ball striker, but I feel like I always hit the ball really nice off of his ball. I don’t know, I think I typically play well against him.”
17:16 , Lawrence Ostlere
Fritz beat compatriot Frances Tiafoe 4-6 7-5 3-6 6-4 6-1 to become the first home man to reach the final in New York since Andy Roddick in 2006.
Report:
Taylor Fritz one win from completing his American dream
17:00 , Lawrence Ostlere
The 22-year-old Briton lost in straight sets to Jannik Sinner in a wild US Open semi-final that saw both players receive medical attention.
Report:
Jack Draper vomits and learns brutal lesson in dramatic US Open semi-final
16:44 , Lawrence Ostlere
Taylor Fritz and Jannik Sinner will take to the court at 7pm BST (UK time) tonight. The final will start at 2pm local time (ET).
The US Open is being shown live on Sky Sports Tennis throughout the fortnigh and the men’s final will be broadcast on the channel. Subscribers can stream the match online via the the Sky Sports Go app and website.
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16:33 , Lawrence Ostlere
Fritz’s journey to the final has been a little more taxing, winning in four sets against Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev to make the semi-finals, where he was embroiled in a five-set battle with fellow American Frances Tiafoe. But Taifoe faded in the final throes and Fritz took advantage.
R1: Camilo Ugo Carabelli 7-5 6-1 6-2
R2: Matteo Berrettini 6-3 7-6 6-1
R3: Francisco Comesana 6-3 6-4 6-2
R4: Casper Ruud 3-6 6-4 6-3 6-2
QFs: Alexander Zverev 7-6 3-6 6-4 7-6
SFs: Frances Tiafoe 4-6 7-5 4-6 6-4 6-1
16:20 , Lawrence Ostlere
Sinner has not been at his imperious best through the tournament, dropping the opening set of his campaign and another against Daniil Medvedev in the quarter-finals. But he has still been the best player in the men’s draw and is rightly begins this final as the favourite to lift the trophy tonight.
R1: Mackenzie McDonald 2-6 6-2 6-1 6-2
R2: Alex Michelsen 6-4 6-0 6-2
R3: Christopher O’Connell 6-1 6-4 6-2
R4: Tommy Paul 7-6 7-6 6-1
QFs: Daniil Medvedev 6-2 1-6 6-1 6-4
SFs: Jack Draper 7-5 7-6 6-2
16:12 , Lawrence Ostlere
The pair have met only twice before, with one win apiece. Their most recent meeting, last year at Indian Wells, was a tight affair which went the way of the young Italian.
2023: Indian Wells – Sinner wins 6-4 4-6 6-4
2021: Indian Wells – Fritz wins 6-4 6-3
16:05 , Lawrence Ostlere
Taylor Fritz has the chance to end a 21-year wait for an American men’s US Open winner, but faces World No 1 Jannik Sinner in the New York final.
Fritz defeated compatriot Frances Tiafoe in five sets to become the first man to reach the US Open final since Andy Roddick in 2006, and is now one win away from emulating Roddick’s 2003 victory.
Sinner, though, stands as the ultimate test, with the Italian winning his first grand slam title at the Australian Open earlier this year. He is on a 13-match winning run on hard courts at the majors.
Sinner defeated Britain’s Jack Draper in a dramatic semi-final on Friday night, but there were concerns for the 23-year-old after he fell on his left wrist and received medical treatment.
Fritz, who is through to his first grand slam final at 26, has faced Sinner on two previous occasions. Sinner won their last meeting at Indian Wells in 2023, with Fritz securing victory at the same tournament in 2021.
15:46 , Lawrence Ostlere
Hello and welcome along to live coverage of the men’s US Open final!
