The Akasina showdown at the summit of Flushing has already set numerous records in this year's US Open.

At 2 AM Beijing time tomorrow, the concluding Grand Slam of the year, the US Open, will present its grand finale. Before anticipating this much-anticipated contest, let’s take a look at the records that have been created or equaled in this edition of the US Open.

【1】An additional player has defeated Djokovic on all three surfaces—hard court, grass, and clay. Former lifelong rivals Federer, Nadal, and Murray had achieved this, and now Djokovic’s excellent successors Sinner and Akasina have also accomplished it.

In their previous encounters, Akasina had never managed to secure a victory against the former hard court king, but winning on grass and clay carries historic significance.

At the 2022 Madrid Masters, Akasina triumphed by consecutively defeating Nadal and Djokovic, earning his first clay-court title of immense value. The following year at Wimbledon, making his debut final appearance, he ended Djokovic’s decade-long unbeaten streak on Centre Court.

However, whether it was his quarterfinal loss at this year’s Australian Open or being avenged by Djokovic at the Cincinnati Masters two years ago, these results highlighted the gap between Akasina and Djokovic on hard courts. This US Open, however, marked a splendid comeback for Akasina.

【2】Players who have reached the finals of five or more consecutive Grand Slam tournaments in the Open Era include: Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and Sinner.

Before Sinner, only the Big Three had reached at least five consecutive Grand Slam finals, and having made the final in all four Grand Slams this year, Sinner shows no signs of stopping.

【3】Following Rod Laver, Federer, and Djokovic, Sinner has become the fourth player to reach all four Grand Slam finals in a single year and is the youngest to do so.

All three predecessors are career Grand Slam champions; given time, Sinner—who only lacks the French Open—should achieve this milestone soon. Meanwhile, he has already broken Federer’s record as the youngest to accomplish this feat.

【4】Sinner is the fourth player to reach back-to-back Australian Open and US Open finals in consecutive years: Connors in 1974-75, Federer in 2006-07, Djokovic in 2011-13 and 2015-16.

Mastering hard courts means mastering the game! Especially reaching the finals of two hard court Grand Slams at the start and end of different seasons clearly demonstrates strength. Sinner is rapidly closing the gap with his predecessors.

【5】For the first time in Open Era history, the men’s singles finals at three Grand Slams on different surfaces in one year featured the same lineup.

Even the Big Three, due to their mutual rivalry, never achieved such dominance by two players. This is the first occurrence in Open Era history, and this twin star duo shines brilliantly together.

【6】Sinner’s 27-match winning streak in hard court Grand Slams equals Djokovic’s record (Federer holds the top spot with 40).

Just one more victory will break Djokovic’s record and place Sinner in second place—will he smoothly take over match wins or is he just one step away? The answer will be revealed tomorrow morning!(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Luo Cheng Qiye)