Reigning champion Jannik Sinner powered into the US Open semi-finals on Wednesday with a commanding straight-sets victory over compatriot Lorenzo Musetti, winning 6-1, 6-4, 6-2.
The world No. 1 dominated from the outset in the first all-Italian men’s Grand Slam quarter-final, racing through the opening set in just 27 minutes. Although Musetti briefly steadied in the second, a costly double fault at 4-4 handed Sinner the decisive break, and the 23-year-old never looked back.
“We have to take the friendship away for the match and when we shake hands everything is fine again,” said Sinner, who is now 16-0 against fellow Italians. “It was a great performance, very solid. I started the match very well.”
Sinner advances to face Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime for a place in the final. While Auger-Aliassime leads their head-to-head 2-1, Sinner dismantled him 6-1, 6-1 in Cincinnati last month.
The victory marked Sinner’s 86th Grand Slam match win, tying him with Nicola Pietrangeli for the most by an Italian man. He is also seeking to become the first man since Roger Federer in 2008 to defend the US Open crown.
Sinner has already claimed the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles this season, with his only blemish a five-set defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open final. His latest triumph also extended his winning streak at hard-court majors to 26 matches.
AFP
