Swift hopes in vain: Sinner celebrates US Open title | More sports

Jannik Sinner spread his arms in jubilation, Taylor Swift retreated to the VIP box disappointed. All the support of the pop superstar and numerous prominent tennis fans for the American Taylor Fritz was in vain. With a quick, flawless performance, top favorite Sinner triumphed against the underdog for the first time at the US Open and destroyed the home crowd’s hopes of a surprise victory.

In a long, one-sided final, the 23-year-old Italian won 6:3, 6:4, 7:5 and celebrated his second Grand Slam title after the Australian Open in January. He received the trophy from former champion Andre Agassi. “The title means so much to me. The last phase of my career was really not easy,” said Sinner, the first Italian to win the US Open in the men’s singles.

He was under special observation in the first tournament after his doping scandal. Sinner was acquitted shortly before the US Open after two positive doping tests in the spring. “I love tennis. But I recognize that there is life off the court,” he said, dedicating the title to his aunt, who is not in good health.

Fritz, ranked 12th in the world, was defeated for long stretches in the first Grand Slam final of his career and missed out on the first title win by a male US tennis player in New York since Andy Roddick in 2003.

“It was a great two weeks. Congratulations to Jannik. I’m impressed, he was really superior,” he said dejectedly. “We’ve waited so long for a champion. I’m sorry it didn’t work out this time.” Fritz ended Alexander Zverev’s dream of a first Grand Slam title in the quarterfinals.

Superstars support Fritz

Swift cheered Fritz on from a box, and next to her her boyfriend, football star Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, repeatedly raised his fist when the American scored points. Other stars such as Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman and singer Jon Bon Jovi were also sitting in the VIP box. But the support was nothing.

“The crowd has been great so far in this tournament.” “Playing against an American in New York is not easy,” said Sinner shortly before entering the court. But the mood in the early afternoon remained rather dull until the middle of the third set and was no comparison to the electrifying atmosphere during Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus’s narrow victory against the American Jessica Pegula the previous evening.

Nervous start

Both players started nervously. In the very first game, Fritz thundered an overhead ball into the out-of-bounds area and immediately conceded the break. But Sünder also made mistakes; a volley into the net cost him his serve – 2:2.

The South Tyrolean, however, presented himself as a much more consistent player. In contrast to his victory over Zverev, Fritz could not rely on his otherwise strong serve. In the first set, he played far less than half of his first serves into the field, and Sinner took full advantage of this weakness. He broke his opponent’s serve three times, and after just 41 minutes he secured the win in the first set.

“I’ve waited so long for this. “I love these moments,” said Fritz shortly before the party. But the 26-year-old seemed overwhelmed by the big opportunity. Unlike in the semi-final thriller over five sets against his US friend Frances Tiafoe, he was unable to put his opponents under constant pressure.

Sinner in the second set quickly without mistakes

In the middle of the second set, fans began to chant “USA, USA” for the first time. But Fritz was still not inspired. With the score at 4:5 and his own serve, he was in trouble again. Sünder won the second set with a strong backhand along the line and raised his fist to his supporters in the stands, where pop star Seal was also sitting. The South Tyrolean only made one mistake in the entire set.

Fritz reared up again. When Sinner wobbled once and made a double fault, the American managed to break to 4:3. Now the atmosphere was worthy of a final. But Sinner struck back again, equalized again and showed his nerves of steel. After 2:15 hours, he turned into match point and was able to celebrate.