The favorite for the title at the US Open has problems with a fall on his way into the final. He will face a local hero on Sunday
Tennis star Jannik Sinner has reached the final of the US Open for the first time in his career. The world number one from Italy defeated Jack Draper from Great Britain in three sets in the final round in New York. After 3:05 hours it was 7:5, 7:6 (7:3), 6:2 for the favorite. Sinner is now just one win away from his second Grand Slam title.
“Jack and I know each other very well, we’re also good friends off the court,” said Sinner afterwards: ”It was a very physical match. He’s so tough to beat that I’m delighted to be in the final. “
The only player standing in his way in Sunday’s final is Taylor Fritz, who fought a five-set battle with Frances Tiafoe in the American duel 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. The last time an American reached the men’s singles final was in 2006 with Andy Roddick.
In the Arthur Ashe Stadium, the 23-year-old Sinner played his greater experience in important matches against the 25th-ranked player in the world, who had not lost a set in his first five matches. Sinner triumphed at the Australian Open in January and is now the first Italian to reach the final at Flushing Meadows.
Doping discussions and injury
Sinner, who had been at the center of doping discussions before the tournament, did not initially perform at his best. He immediately gave away a break to 4:3 against his one-year-younger opponent. Draper persisted, but was probably not completely fit. At 4:3 in the second set, he threw up on the court. Right-hander Sinner fell and apparently injured his left wrist. He still managed to secure a commanding victory
In the second match, the first all-American Grand Slam semi-final since Andre Agassi against Robby Ginepri at the 2005 US Open, Alexander Zverev’s conqueror Fritz prevailed despite trailing twice in sets.
“He overpowered me at the start and I went a bit crazy,” said Fritz after his victory: ”I did everything I could to stay in it. If I hadn’t done that, I would have regretted it forever. I’ll come out in the final and give it my all.” After four hard-fought sets, he made two breaks early on in the deciding set and Tiafoe was unable to counter. Fritz improved his record against his compatriot to 7:1.
