Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds

That was an ultra-aggressive first point from Sinner. A real intent to set the precedent. He is so hard to read and never gives anything away. He looks cool as a cucumber.

Sinner has an extra injection of extra pace with his wrists, whereas Alcaraz has much more rotation. It is quite something seeing them blast the ball at each other.

We are going to be in for a long game.

Marion Bartoli
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

A great depth on return of serve. He is not giving an angle to Jannik Sinner.

You can see that Alcaraz is staying close to the baseline on the second serve return which was very different to Wimbledon. He clearly has a different mindset.

Well if Alcaraz looked nervous heading out onto court you could not tell in that game.

What a start for the Spaniard, his forehand slice catches Sinner off guard and he takes the hold.

Well, Alcaraz's forehand is fizzing already. He produces three in one rally to eventually wear Sinner down then the Italian fires into the net and Alcaraz has a second break point.

Sinner ups the ante on his serve to save break point.

Then the Italian comes out on top of a lengthy rally but follows up with a wild forehand that drops miles wide to take us back to deuce.

Sinner moves quickly to 30-0 but Alcaraz settles somewhat and gets back to 30-30 when the Italian fires wide.

The Spaniard pounces on the top seed's second serve and he earns himself a break point.

Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Alcaraz looked nervous. You could hear the breathlessness in his pre-match interview.

In the warm-up, he was smacking a few balls that were missing. The warm-up is so important to get that adrenaline out of your body.

The US Open title is on the line. The world number one title is on the line. It does not get much bigger than this.

Alcaraz won the toss and chose to receive. Let's do this.

* denotes server

Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds

There is enormous respect between these two. It is all about the sport for them and putting their best tennis against one another.

There is no bad behaviour - they are very respectful of each other and probably like one another quite a lot off the court.

We are going to see this rivalry go on for a long period of time. They have achieved so much in a short space of time and yet they are so far ahead of the chasing pack already.

Since the start of the 2024 season, Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz will have now claimed the title in 16 of the 17 ATP-level events they have both appeared in, with last year’s Madrid Open the only exception.

Jannik Sinner speaking before the final: "This surface is where I feel most comfortable. This has been an incredible season and I am happy to stand here in a final.

"Finals are always a special occasion. It is not about defending or not it is just about playing a good match. Carlos is playing incredible tennis and I will try my best."

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport senior tennis reporter at Flushing Meadows

You remember when today was about the tennis? Me too.

Let's get back there.

Carlos Alcaraz emerges through the atmosphere-building fog first, shortly followed by Jannik Sinner.

Both receive equally-loud cheers as they step out - and the volume was much higher than when you-know-who appeared.

Alcaraz won a spell of five matches between Indian Wells in 2024 and the French Open in June 2025 - but momentum has shifted throughout the 14 contests:

• 2021 Paris Masters - Round of 32: Alcaraz won 7-6 (7-1) 7-5
• 2022 Wimbledon - Round of 16: Sinner won 6–1 6–4 6–7 (8–10) 6–3
• 2022 Croatia Open - Final: Sinner won 6–7 (5–7) 6–1 6–1
• 2022 US Open - Quater-final: Alcaraz won 6–3 6–7 (7-9) 6–7 (0-7) 7–5 6–3
• 2023 Indian Wells - Semi-final: Alcaraz won 7–6 (7-4) 6–3
• 2023 Miami Open - Semi-final: Sinner won 6–7 (4–7) 6–4 6–2
• 2023 China Open - Semi-final: Sinner won 7–6 (7–4) 6–1
• 2024 Indian Wells - Semi-final: Alcaraz won 1–6 6–3 6–2
• 2024 French Open - Semi-final: Alcaraz won 2–6 6–3 3–6 6–4 6–3
• 2024 China Open - Final: Alcaraz won 6–7 (6–8) 6–4 7–6 (7–3)
• 2024 Italian Open - Final: Alcaraz won 7–6 (7–5) 6–1
• 2025 French Open - Final: Alcaraz won 4–6 6–7 (4–7) 6–4 7–6 (7–3) 7–6 (10–2)
• 2025 Wimbledon - Final: Sinner won 4–6 6–4 6–4 6–4
• 2025 Cincinnati Open - Final: Alcaraz won 5-0 (retired)

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport senior tennis reporter at Flushing Meadows

The difference between the standout pair in 2024 and 2025 has been marginal - but the gulf over the rest is vast.

Alcaraz has won 114 of his 133 matches (86%) and also claimed 10 titles.

The Spaniard, however, has a 9-5 advantage in their head-to-head record but lost in their Grand Slam meeting when his malfunctioning serve allowed Sinner to get on top at Wimbledon.

Improving this area has been a key target for Alcaraz since - and the work has paid off.

Alcaraz has only twice dropped serve in his six US Open matches so far, putting the Spaniard (98%) slightly ahead of Sinner (95%) at the top of the pile in service games won.

Carlos Alcaraz speaking on the surface: "I have tried to improve as much as I can on this surface and I am happy with how I have been serving in my matches.

"Sinner is one of the best on the tour so it will be difficult. But I am ready.

On becoming number one: "I try not to think about that, thanks for the reminder! Today there are a lot of things on the line but I try not to think about them and focus on the game. I am playing great tennis."

Image source, Getty Images

Here we go then. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner head out onto court.

A similar reaction for both players from the crowd.

While we do of course want this final to get under way as soon as possible, Arthur Ashe remains half empty. Which means there are around 12,000 people still trying to get in.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport senior tennis reporter at Flushing Meadows

After the initial delay, the pre-final pageantry is starting as planned at the new time of 2:30pm.

President Trump reappears in the hospitality box to a relatively warm applause, although there are some jeers in a mixed reception when he appears on the big screen during the national anthem.

Hundreds of punters have their camera phones zoomed in on him.

We've got two opposing styles when it comes to the warm-ups behind the scenes.

Alcaraz has got his headphones on, getting some stretches in with his coach, fully focussed.

Sinner appears to be playing football with his team while they also chase each other around the gym.

Interesting. You really would've had that the other way around, wouldn't you?