Sinner sees off tough Medvedev challenge to reach semi finals

Jannik Sinner prevailed over 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 6-4 at the US Open on Wednesday to advance to his third major semifinal of the year despite a string of unexpected momentum swings.

The Australian Open winner this year has advanced to the semi-finals of all four Grand Slam tournaments, and he now owns a tour-high 21 match victories at majors this season.

At the age of 23, the man has become the first Italian in the Open Era and the first male born in the 1990s or 2000s to accomplish that achievement. In winning in two hours and 39 minutes, Sinner employed a wide range of strategies. As much a tug of war from the baseline as it was a chess match.

With serves and volleys, drop shots, and explosiveness aimed at all parts of the court, the 15-time tour-level champion challenged Medvedev’s deep return position. Sinner relentlessly pounded the ball the longer the rally lasted.

“It was very tough, we know each other quite well,” said Sinner, who committed 38 unforced errors to Medvedev’s 57. “We played in Australia this year and then London. We knew it was going to be very physical. It was strange the first two sets because whoever made the first break then started to roll.”

Improving upon his 2022 quarter-final appearance in New York, Sinner showed quick speed as he moved forward and converted 28 of his 33 net points.

“We tried to work really hard on this aspect of the game. I know I can improve a lot, especially going to the net,” Sinner said. “I tried to serve-and-volley a couple of times, trying to mix something in. I’m very happy with how I’ve done it today and let’s see how I can handle the next opponent.”

The lone major champion remaining in the draw, Sinner will face 25th seed Jack Draper in the last four.