Sinner Battles Past Auger-Aliassime at US Open, Sets Third Straight Slam Final with Alcaraz

Jannik Sinner was tested but not toppled on Friday night in Arthur Ashe Stadium. The World No.1 overcame a spirited performance from Felix Auger-Aliassime, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, to book his spot in a third consecutive Grand Slam final — and his 15th career clash with rival Carlos Alcaraz.

For the first time in the Open Era, two players will contest three major finals in a single season. Alcaraz claimed the first installment in Paris, saving three championship points to edge Sinner for his fifth major title, before the Italian returned the favor at Wimbledon, handing the Spaniard his first defeat in a Grand Slam final.

Auger-Aliassime made sure Sinner’s road back to the final wasn’t routine. The Canadian lit up Ashe with a near flawless second set, securing the only break of the second set and sending the match into high gear. After the set, Sinner took a medical timeout.

“I just felt a small twitching after a serve when I served there in the second set on 4-3,” Sinner explained. “After the treatment, was feeling much, much better. At some point I didn’t feel anything anymore. I was serving back to normal pace, so it was all good. Nothing to worry about. But I preferred to go off court because it’s on a different spot. So it’s all good.”

For a spell, Sinner’s serve dipped well below his usual speeds, but gradually he found his rhythm again. In the fourth set, Auger-Aliassime held five break points in the second and fourth games but could not convert. Sinner broke for 3-2 and never looked back, securing his place in Sunday’s blockbuster final.

With the victory, the 23-year-old Italian becomes the first man since Roger Federer in 2008 to have a chance to defend the US Open title. He has now reached five consecutive Grand Slam finals, winning three of his last four.

“I love these challenges. I love to put myself in these positions,” Sinner said of his upcoming showdown with Alcaraz. “You know, he’s someone who pushed me to limit, which is great, because then you have the best feedback you can have as a player. We have faced each other quite a lot now lately, so you know, things are getting a little bit different.”