After a thrilling fortnight of tennis, featuring some seismic shocks and matches that will live long in the memory, just two men are still standing in New York. But will it be Australian Open champion and world #1 Jannik Sinner who claims the US Open title, or can home hope Taylor Fritz spring another surprise? As ever, we here at LWOT are previewing and predicting the final, but who will come out on top?
US Open Final Prediction
Jannik Sinner vs Taylor Fritz
Jim: Taylor Fritz has had a magnificent tournament, delivering at last on the promise he has shown since the earliest stages of his career. He has both shown his quality and hung on when he has needed to. But is he good enough to beat Jannik Sinner? Probably not.
Fritz has played some excellent tennis en route to the final, but he also had a relatively kind draw and, frankly, has not played anyone of Sinner’s quality yet. The concern for the American is that there isn’t really anything that he does better than the Italian. Which is why one of them is ranked #1 in the world and the other is Fritz. The crowd should be right behind him, but it is hard to see Fritz winning more than a set.
Prediction: Sinner in 4
Steen: The pair split h2h meetings, Fritz has battled in some long matches like a warrior to reach this final as he looks to be the first American male to win a grand slam in two decades. Can Fritz channel the spirit of Andy Roddick and other American legends to win his home slam? That feels unlikely with Sinner a winner of 11 straight matches and the world number one. Sinner has only lost six times this year, if he’s fit his baseline game is lethal.
Prediction: Sinner in 4
Ateet: Fritz has had the best run of his career and he will give everything to win the title but I can’t see that happening against the best hard court player in the world currently. Fritz has a better serve but in every other metric, Sinner is ahead and he has a great return of serve which will give him chances to break. I will go with the Italian to win his second Major.
Prediction: Sinner in 4
Tope: Fritz has finally done what no American could do in 15 years – play in Grand Slam final. Will he go a step further? I think not. The pressure to do that will be too intense, coupled with the fact the man at the other end of the court, apart from being the world #1 and having more experience at this level, will be more intent on putting an exclamation mark on what has been a truly remarkable season.
Prediction: Sinner in 4
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
