CNN
—

In a match with numerous vicissitudes, world number one Jannik Sinner beat number 5 Daniil Medvedev 6:2, 1:6, 6:1 and 6:4 to advance to the semifinals of the US Open for the first time.

The 23-year-old Italian, who is seeking his second Grand Slam title, has reached three semifinals at major tournaments this season – and he is the first man born in the 1990s or 2000s to reach the semifinals of all four Grand Slam tournaments.

“It was very tough,” Sinner said in an on-court interview. “We know each other pretty well. … We knew it was going to be very physical. The first two sets were strange because whoever got the first break then got into their stride.”

Sinner is the only player still holding a Grand Slam title in the men’s singles. He will next face rising star Jack Draper. The 25th seed made it to a major semi-final for the first time after defeating Australian and world number 10 Alex de Minaur 6-3, 7-5, 6-2.

On the other side of the court, two Americans – No. 20 Frances Tiafoe and No. 12 Taylor Fritz – are playing in the other semifinal. The winner of that match will become the first American Grand Slam men’s singles finalist since Andy Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009.

It was Sinner’s third meeting with 2021 US Open champion Medvedev at a major this year.

In January, Sinner came from 2-0 down to defeat Medvedev to win the Australian Open. In the quarterfinals of Wimbledon in July, Medvedev beat Sinner in five sets.

In the 13 direct duels of her career, Medvedev has won seven times – but Sinner has now won six of the last seven duels against the Russian.

“It’s tough. I mean, he’s one of the best players in the world, he’s the best in the rankings and he deserves it,” Medvedev told reporters.

“He is a tough opponent. He has a good feel for the game. He often chooses the right shot at the right moment and that’s why I actually like playing against players like that because it gets very close, you know, every point counts and then the break point comes and you try to think about what he will do on that break point and how you can counter it.

“I think, yes, all the matches were interesting in their own way, the crowd likes it, I think. Yes, I would like to play against him more often in Grand Slams.”

Sinner’s run comes against the backdrop of his recent doping case, which became public on August 20 – news that shocked the tennis world. Sinner, who avoided a ban after testing positive twice for traces of a banned substance, has said he has done nothing wrong.

“I have my team and my people who are close to me,” Sinner said in his post-game press conference. “You know, they know me, they know that I always stick with the people who know me and believe me.”

“That’s a very important part. And of course I’m very happy to have her as a coach and also off the pitch.

“Yes, of course it was a bit difficult at the beginning, but it got better day by day. So yes, I’m happy about it. Let’s see what I can achieve in the semi-finals now.”

Sinner and Draper have only played against each other once, with the Brit defeating the Italian on the grass at the Queen’s Club in London in 2021.

“We know each other very well,” Sinner said. “We are good friends off the court as well. It will be a tough match. He is playing unbelievably. He hasn’t lost a set yet, so he is playing very, very well. Let’s see what happens. I’m just happy to be in the semifinals and let’s see who can play better in a few days.”

Draper, a 22-year-old left-hander known for his powerful serve, is the first man to reach the US Open semifinals without dropping a set since Medvedev in 2020. He is the first Briton to reach the US Open semifinals since Andy Murray won the title in 2012.

“I haven’t spoken to Andy, no,” Draper said when asked by reporters. “I think he’s enjoying his retirement. I think he’s playing a lot of golf and just enjoying time with his family. He hasn’t seen his family in the last few years, so I think they’re enjoying having him around.”

“I’ve spoken to Andy a few times in the past about obviously playing big Grand Slam matches and stuff like that. I think when people you respect give you advice it’s always good, but at the end of the day it’s their experience, you know.

“I think it is important to experience these situations yourself and understand them for yourself, because everyone reacts differently to different stresses, different situations and different emotions.

“I know Andy is there for me when I need him, but at the same time I’m pretty relaxed. I feel pretty good and I’m just taking it day by day and trying to keep going. Yes, I know he’s always there for me when I need him.”

It was Draper’s first win over the 25-year-old de Minaur in four attempts. It was de Minaur’s first singles tournament since he withdrew from Wimbledon due to a hip injury.