Alcaraz and Sinner have created a rivalry which is beginning to transcend the sport, but the build-up to the final was overshadowed by Trump’s return to Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2015.

Extra security measures were put in place, including airport-style scanners outside Ashe, which caused huge queues for fans and pushed the match back.

The players, who are well-versed in delays usually caused by the weather, continued to limber up in the bowels of the stadium, with Alcaraz doing trunk rotation exercises on a gym mat and Sinner kicking a mini-football around with his team.

Neither man looked too put out by the inconvenience, but it was Alcaraz who started the better once play began.

Sinner began confidently but was quickly rocked by Alcaraz’s explosive returns, and even his ability to soak up pressure could not prevent the early break.

Alcaraz continued to keep his opponent guessing, playing with variety and maintaining the strong serving which had ensured he was broken only twice on his way to the final.

Once he claimed the advantage in the first set, Alcaraz was not in the mood to let it slip. Serving with pace and precision, he allowed Sinner to win only three receiving points.

But Alcaraz’s propensity to dip more than Sinner appeared in the second set.

Sinner raised the stakes, hitting his trademark ferocious groundstrokes and pushing Alcaraz back with an improved return of serve, ultimately levelling the match after decisively breaking in the fourth game.

The touchpaper had been lit – and thankfully Ashe was now pretty much full to witness it.

Like the Wimbledon final eight weeks earlier, a delicately-poised match after two sets quickly turned one-sided.

Alcaraz broke early in the third by again taking time away from Sinner, rediscovering his first serve and touch at the net, before cruising a double break ahead as his artistry shone through.

Sinner, who had struggled with a stomach issue in his semi-final, continued to make uncharacteristic errors in the fourth set.

After losing serve for the fifth time in the match, he did not seriously threaten to break back before Alcaraz served out victory.

“I tried my best today – I couldn’t do more,” Sinner said.