Sinner Advances to US Open Semis After Tiebreak Thriller, Sets Up Showdown with Medvedev

Top-seeded Jannik Sinner secured his place in the US Open quarterfinals with a determined performance against No. 14 Tommy Paul, overcoming a sluggish start to win 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5), 6-1 on Monday night.

Sinner, who was recently cleared of doping allegations following positive tests in March, now faces 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals. This will be a rematch of their Australian Open final earlier this year, where Sinner claimed his first Grand Slam title after coming back from two sets down. Medvedev won their Wimbledon encounter in July.

Sinner struggled early in the match, trailing 4-1 after just 20 minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Despite the challenge, the 23-year-old Italian rallied to take control, especially during critical tiebreakers. The first set tiebreaker was tight at 3-all before Sinner clinched the final four points. In the second set, Paul led 5-4, but Sinner finished strong, winning the last three points.

With this victory, Sinner has won 14 of his last 15 tiebreakers, the only exception being a loss to Medvedev at Wimbledon. His resilience was on full display, as he dropped the first set at the US Open but has won the subsequent 12 sets.

Paul, aiming for his third career Grand Slam quarterfinal and his first at Flushing Meadows, fell short despite his efforts. He remains winless in six attempts against top-10 players at majors.

Sinner, who has been dominant on hard courts in 2024 with a 32-2 record and four titles, has now reached the quarterfinals at all four Grand Slam events this year.

Earlier in the day, No. 5 seed Medvedev cruised to a 6-0, 6-1, 6-3 victory over Nuno Borges, with a brief interruption due to a fire alarm. The other quarterfinal matches feature No. 10 Alex de Minaur versus No. 25 Jack Draper, and No. 4 Alexander Zverev against No. 12 Taylor Fritz, with No. 9 Grigor Dimitrov facing No. 20 Frances Tiafoe.