Alcaraz becomes the youngest men’s singles grand slam winner since compatriot Rafael Nadal won the first of his major titles in June 2005. Alcaraz played three consecutive five-set matches en route to the final, including the second-longest match in US Open history when he beat Jannik Sinner at 2:50 am. in Thursday’s quarterfinals — the tournament’s last ever finish. “It’s a grand slam final, fighting for No. 1 in the world — something I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid,” Alcaraz told reporters early Saturday after defeating Frances Tiafoe in the final four. Throughout the US Open, the Spaniard captivated crowds with his speed, athleticism and outrageous shot. This latest victory could be the first of many grand slam titles during his career. A clay-court specialist, Alcaraz has drawn comparisons to 22-time grand slam champion Nadal and is only the second player in his teenage years in the Open Era to reach the US Open final after Pete Sampras. “Right now, you can see that all the hard work I put in every day is paying off,” Alcaraz told reporters early Saturday.
