But Sinner soon quashed those dreams, breaking back as Fritz attempted to serve for the set and doing the same two games later to wrap up the win after two hours and 16 minutes.

It was more straightforward in New York as he rarely looked troubled by Fritz, who struggled to build any momentum.

"I know we have been waiting for a champion for a long time so I'm sorry I couldn't get it done this time," said Fritz.

Sinner said the title "meant so much because the last period of my career was not easy" before he became tearful and dedicated the victory to his aunt.

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He subsequently parted ways with the physio and his fitness trainer - but questions continued about whether Sinner's case had been handled differently to those of other players because of his world number one status.

But he has seemingly been able to put the controversy behind him, manoeuvring his way through tough tests against Britain's Jack Draper and 2021 champion Medvedev.

Tom Hanks stars in an intense thriller based on true events. VideoTom Hanks stars in an intense thriller based on true events

However, Sinner then underlined his status as world number one, upping the ante when it mattered most to strike the crucial blow as Fritz served to stay in the set at 5-4 down.

The 26-year-old recovered well to win three games in a row, but he continued to falter on serve and Sinner capitalised to take the opener and subdue the expectant mood on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

is a senior sports writer at Sport24, based in Johannesburg. He's been reporting on national sports for the past decade.

It 米兰体育 has been nearly 50 years since a man won their first and second Grand Slam titles in the same season, and Sinner is now a long way clear of the rest at the top of the rankings.

Having failed to make the most of three break point opportunities early in the third set, Fritz brought the crowd to life with two brilliant winners to break for a 4-3 lead and keep alive his hopes.

Andy Roddick, who was watching from the stands, remains the last American man to lift a major singles trophy, having won the US Open in 2003.