Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz has won his second US Open title by defeating Robbie Capito 13-12 in a dramatic final at the 49th edition of the tournament. The match took place from August 25–30, 2026, at Embassy Suites in Frisco, Texas, and was described as an epic hill-hill thriller that ended with Sanchez-Ruiz clearing the table to seal his victory after Capito missed a crucial shot on the final rack.
The competition remained tight throughout the six racks, featuring numerous safety battles and comebacks from both players. After trading leads multiple times, Sanchez-Ruiz reached the deciding position at 12-10 following a critical error by Capito. He then managed to close the gap one more time before winning the final rack with composure under pressure.
This achievement marks only the tenth two-time US Open winner in the event's nearly five-decade history, propelling Sanchez-Ruiz up to third place on the World Rankings and earning him $100,000 in ranking points. The victory also highlighted his resilience after a difficult start to the tournament, as he expressed gratitude for the crowd's energy during this historic comeback.
What do you think was the deciding factor that allowed Sanchez-Ruiz to overcome Capito in such a tight final?