World number one Jannik Sinner triumphed over former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev in a thrilling, yet inconsistent quarter-final, setting up a semi-final clash with his friend and occasional doubles partner, Jack Draper. Sinner emerged victorious with a 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 6-4 win against Medvedev, who was seeded fifth in New York. Both players have a history of high-stakes matches, and this encounter was no different, although it didn't fully reach the level of excitement of their previous battles. Sinner, who had already made a mark this year by winning the Australian Open, proved to be more reliable on serve, which made the crucial difference. In contrast, Medvedev struggled with consistency, committing 57 unforced errors and hitting six double faults throughout the match. The Italian secured the win in just over two and a half hours, despite moments of vulnerability.
The match was a back-and-forth affair, reflecting the fluctuating form of both players. Medvedev’s powerful baseline game, known for thriving in long rallies, surfaced in the second set, which he dominated after breaking Sinner’s serve twice. However, Sinner found his rhythm again in the third set, winning five consecutive games and threatening to 'bagel' Medvedev before the Russian managed to win a single game. With momentum clearly swinging back to Sinner, Medvedev briefly left the court to regain his focus. Yet, it wasn't enough to stop Sinner, who clinched a crucial break in the fourth set, sealing the match with a spectacular forehand winner. This victory underscores Sinner’s dominant year on hard courts, having lost only two matches on the surface and securing four titles, including the Australian Open.
Looking ahead, Sinner is set to face Draper in the semi-final, an encounter he anticipates will be challenging given their friendship and familiarity with each other’s playing style. Meanwhile, the remaining semi-final will see an all-American showdown between Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe, ensuring that a first-time US Open winner will be crowned in both the men's and women's singles competitions. This match also added to the ongoing rivalry between Sinner and Medvedev, who have faced each other in three of this year's four Grand Slam tournaments. Earlier in the year, Sinner claimed his first Grand Slam title by overcoming a two-set deficit against Medvedev at the Australian Open, while Medvedev got his revenge by defeating Sinner in a five-set thriller at Wimbledon. Despite not reaching their highest level, this latest encounter was a testament to the growing competition between them, and it solidifies Sinner's status as a dominant force in the current tennis landscape.
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