Tennis Weekly · Passing Shot Productions

US Open Men's Final Preview - No.1 on the line as Alcaraz vs Sinner face off in Final

·34 min·3 clips

Joel argues Novak Djokovic may never win another Grand Slam due to Alcaraz and Sinner's permanent roadblock.

This episode previews the US Open men's final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, with the world number one ranking at stake. Hosts Joel and Kim analyze the semifinals and the historic rivalry. They are seasoned tennis analysts providing context for this major championship clash. Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6, 6-2, without dropping a set in the entire tournament. Jannik Sinner beat Felix Auger-Aliassime in four sets, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, saving nine of ten break points. This marks the third consecutive Grand Slam final between Alcaraz and Sinner, a first in the Open Era. Novak Djokovic, at 38, received treatment for niggling injuries during his loss, highlighting a perceived physical gap. Felix Auger-Aliassime's performance was a marked improvement from a recent straight-sets loss to Sinner in Cincinnati. The hosts argue that without Alcaraz and Sinner, Djokovic would likely still be winning major titles despite his age. Alcaraz becomes only the fourth player since 2000 to reach the US Open final without dropping a set, joining Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Lleyton Hewitt. Sinner briefly left the court for abdominal treatment in his semifinal, raising questions about his physical readiness. The head-to-head record favors Alcaraz 9-5, though they have split their two previous Slam finals this year. Kim suggests an Alcaraz victory would be better for the sport to create more volatility at the world number one spot. Joel believes this rivalry represents a thrilling generational clash that transcends typical tennis fandom. The high expectations for their matches create a challenge, as even a four-set final can be perceived as a disappointment. Their 2022 US Open quarterfinal, which Alcaraz won in a fifth-set tiebreak, is cited as the spark for this epic rivalry. The tone is conversational, analytical, and enthusiastic, blending match statistics with broader narrative storytelling. The style is that of informed sports commentary, featuring friendly debate and predictions between the co-hosts. Tennis fans invested in the Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry and the future of men's tennis will find this episode essential. Listeners seeking in-depth analysis of the women's final or those tired of the current top two's dominance might want to skip.

As heard by us

A brisk, informed final preview with enough banter to keep the tension from feeling too neat.

Tennis Weekly with Joel, Kim, and Chris offers a brisk US Open men’s final preview, keeping Sinner and Alcaraz at the center while the world number one ranking hangs in the background.

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Why you'd press play

Before the final, get the Sinner-Alcaraz stakes straight.

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