Jannik Sinner is one win away from the second Grand Slam title of his career–and second of the season–after beating Jack Draper 7-5, 7-6(3), 6-2 in the U.S. Open semifinals on Friday afternoon.
Sinner, the reigning Australian Open champion, needed three hours and three minutes to advance even though it was straight-set match. The second set alone lasted one hour 28 minutes.
It was a grueling middle frame of play that saw Draper vomit multiple times, while Sinner took a spill–and won the point with a rocket of a forehand moments later–that seemed to injure his left wrist. It was Draper who ended up being the worse for wear. The 25th-ranked Brit continued to struggle physically in the third, whereas Sinner recovered quickly.
“The physio loosened it up very fast on court, so after I felt okay,” the world No. 1 noted. “Then after it went away by playing, which is good. Let’s see how it is tomorrow when it’s cold. It’s gonna be a different feeling. Hopefully is nothing to [be concerned] about. I’m quite relaxed, because if it’s something bad, you feel it, straightaway a bit more.”
Draper admitted afterward that his illness may have been due to nerves.
“I think obviously it’s a big occasion for me,” the 22-year-old said. “Even though I generally feel pretty relaxed and stuff, I definitely felt more excited today — a few more nerves around. I’m definitely someone who is, I think, quite an anxious human being. I think when you add all that together sometimes I do feel a bit (of) nausea on court, and I do feel a little bit sick when it gets tough.
“I didn’t have any problems before the match, but it obviously just built up.”
Sinner awaits an American in Sunday’s title match–either Taylor Fritz or Frances Tiafoe.
