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.
He is 23-years-old and Alcaraz just 21. They ended up sharing the year’s Grand Slam titles, and - with an eye to the future - that is an ominous thought for the rest of the world.
"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.
England interim boss Lee Carsley says their win over the Republic of Ireland has boosted his confidence - admitting he had doubts about his ability to do the job.
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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.
It marks a new era of tennis as 24-time major winner Novak Djokovic, who was knocked out in the third round, ends the year without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2017.
A mediados do semana ya calentaron el ambiente con el despliegue por una gigantesca lona en Madrid, donde podía apreciarse la silueta do un jugador encapuchado. El secreto ha sido desvelado y, sin duda, no ha dejado a los aficionados indiferentes.
Just six days before the main draw got under way, it was announced he had twice tested positive for low levels of a metabolite of clostebol - a steroid that can be used to build muscle mass - in March.
Young Proteas seamer Kwena Maphaka is pleased with the plans in place to help him develop into a competitive bowler in all three formats of the game. 04 Sep
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It 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.
He was not at the 米兰体育投注网站 peak of his powers for the entire two weeks, but still only dropped two sets and saved his best for the final.
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.