US Open men’s final live: Trump causes ‘embarrassing’ chaos for Sinner vs Alcaraz

Alcaraz’s serve was impenetrable, he limited his unforced errors and refused to let Sinner into the match as he raced to a 6-2 3-6 6-1 6-4 victory on Monday morning (AEST).

The 22-year-old Spaniard lost to Sinner in the Wimbledon final but bounced back at Flushing Meadows to finish with two grand slam titles for the year and reclaim the World No. 1 ranking from Sinner.

Alcaraz now has a 6-1 record in grand slam finals and remarkably has six grand slam titles at the age of 22, the second youngest to achieve that feat after Swedish icon Bjorn Borg.

Alcaraz and Sinner have won every grand slam title in the past two years. Alcaraz leads their head-to-head record 10-5 and has now won seven of their past eight match-ups.

Alcaraz dominated the opening stages to win the first set 6-2 in an absolute blitz — he had 10 winners and just two unforced errors, losing only three points on serve. 

Sinner bounced back to claim the second set 6-3, seemingly setting the stage for another epic final between these two rivals after they met at the French Open and Wimbledon deciders.

But Alcaraz slammed the door on his rival, racing out to a 4-0 lead in the third set, claiming it 6-1 to be one set away from the title.

A double fault and unforced error from Sinner gave Alcaraz a pivotal break of serve in the fourth set — the Spaniard closed out the match in less than three hours.

“I want to start with Jannik,” Alcaraz said in a classy victory speech.

“It’s unbelievable what you’re doing during the whole season. Great level every tournament you’re playing. I’m seeing you more than my family.” 

8.14am - Trump’s salty reaction to Alcaraz win

As Alcaraz made his way into the grandstands to celebrate with his team, cameras captured President Donald Trump looking less than enthused at the result of the match.

Mr Trump, who caused carnage with his arrival to the final, pursed his lips and could not be seen applauding as the crowd berserk around him.

President Trump’s attendance at the US Open men’s final delayed the start of the match, as hordes of tennis fans struggled to get through security checkpoints.

The New York-born billionaire joined a host of other celebrities taking in the battle between Sinner and Alcaraz — returning to Flushing Meadows after a decade-long absence, before which he was a regular fixture.

Major tournament sponsor Rolex welcomed Trump into its stadium box, with the president briefly appearing alongside the company’s CEO, as well as US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

The luxury watchmaker’s invite comes after Trump hit Switzerland with a 39 per cent tariff as part of his trade war, one of the highest rates on US trade partners.

When he again appeared before the playing of the Star-Spangled Banner, he waved to the crowd, which greeted him with a mix of cheers and boos.

Trump has not attended the US Open since 2015 — when the then-presidential candidate and wife Melania were booed on arrival by the crowd.

While the Republican leader enjoys pockets of support in his native city, it is overwhelmingly Democratic.

Watch Donald Trump arrive to a mixed reception at the US Open in the videos above

Extra security measures in place for Mr Trump’s appearance prompted massive delays for fans trying to get into Arthur Ashe Stadium and the US Open delayed the start of the match to 2.30pm local time.

As fans queued up outside, the sight of empty seats around the arena at the start of the match angered many viewers as Mr Trump arrived to a near-empty stadium.

Tennis commentator Jose Morgado said: “Stadium still not even half full. A big mess. Absolutely EMBARRASSING for everybody involved.”

Tennis reporter James Gray said: “Thousands of people stuck outside Arthur Ashe Stadium waiting to get through security.

“Imagine paying $$$$ for a ticket to this final and spending the first set (at least?) standing outside shuffling forwards.”

5.30am - Broadcasters to censor Trump booing

People watching the Sinner-Alcaraz showdown on television may not see any unfavourable reactions to the president, with organisers asking broadcasters not to showcase disruptions, according to several US media reports.

Spanish star Alcaraz said Friday he plans to “try not to think about” the Trump hubbub in the stands, but appreciated the attention his attendance would bring to the sport.

“I don’t want myself to be nervous because of it, but I think attending the tennis match, it’s great for tennis to have the president (at) the final.” Trump has attended a series of glitzy sporting events since retaking office in January.

Trump was booed at the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey but had a warmer reception at the Super Bowl and a number of UFC bouts, as well as the Daytona 500 NASCAR race.

Trump says he also plans to attend the first day of golf’s Ryder Cup later this month, while preparations are underway for him to host a UFC fight on the White House grounds.

The last sitting president to attend the tennis grand slam in New York — and the first in history to go to the US Open — was Democrat Bill Clinton, who watched the women’s final in 2000.

Trump was there as well and had a cordial meeting with Clinton, according to pictures from the encounter.

Though Trump made his name in New York, he changed his residency during his first term from Manhattan to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.

The 79-year-old has only intermittently returned to New York, but spent several weeks at his luxury Fifth Avenue condo last year while undergoing a historic criminal trial mid-campaign.

He is expected back in the city to attend a baseball game on the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, as well as to address the UN General Assembly on September 23.

- With AFP