In his quest for a second title in New York, Sinner will also have his world number 1 ranking on the line. If defeated on Sunday, Alcaraz will regain the top spot. Friday’s victory marked Sinner’s 27th consecutive win in Grand Slam tournaments played on hard courts. The Italian is the reigning US Open champion and two-time Australian Open winner. This run matches Djokovic’s career-best streak of 27 wins in 2011-12, with only Roger Federer holding a longer streak: 40 wins from 2005-08.
Including Roland Garros clay and Wimbledon grass, Sinner will finish 2025 having reached the finals of all four Grand Slam tournaments. At 24, he becomes the youngest man in the Open Era to achieve this feat, surpassing Swiss legend Roger Federer, who did it at 25. From 1968 onward, only three other players have reached all slam finals in the same season: Rod Laver (1969), Federer (2006, 2007, 2009), and Novak Djokovic (2015, 2021, 2023).
How it unfolded: Sinner quickly asserted dominance, not only attacking well but also showcasing his defensive abilities. He broke Auger-Aliassime’s serve in the second game, leading 3-0. The Canadian fought back but couldn’t consistently trouble the number 1. Sinner broke him again in the sixth game, closing the set 6-1 in 43 minutes.
The match seemed to continue in the same vein as Sinner fought off 0-40 and held serve in the second game of the second set. However, the Italian struggled with his first serve (only 45% in the set), as Auger-Aliassime hit 75% of his serves and lost just one point on serve the entire set. In the eighth game, Sinner faced another 0-40 but saved a break point; however, this time the Canadian seized the opportunity. On the second break point, he hit a winning forehand and broke. He then held to love, winning 6-3 and leveling the match at 1 set each.
Sinner received off-court medical treatment during the break and, upon his return, immediately faced a break point, but Auger-Aliassime saved it with a great serve. The Italian continued to struggle on serve, but managed to stay in the rallies until the Canadian made three errors in the sixth game. With a break point, Sinner hit a lob return, and Auger-Aliassime made a misjudged shot, conceding the point and the break. Even with only 40% of first serves in, the Italian took the set 6-3.
The fourth set began with Sinner under threat once again, but the number 1 player played two outstanding points to hold and then confirmed his serve in the second game. Auger-Aliassime kept up the pressure and earned another break point in the fourth game. Once more, Sinner pulled off something special to save it, this time with a crosscourt backhand that clipped the line by inches. The Canadian had two more break chances but erred on a forehand and netted a second-serve return.
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