MATCH REPORT | 2024 US Open: Jack Draper’s physical woes no match for Sinner’s brilliant display

Jannik Sinner will seek his second Grand Slam title after defeating Jack Draper in the US Open semifinals. The world No. 1 reached 60 wins in major tournaments and ended Draper's streak of 15 consecutive sets won.

Despite the straight-sets victory of 7-5, 7-6(3), 6-2, it wasn’t easy for Sinner, who prevailed in key moments to secure the win without spending too much time on court. The Brit faltered in the later stages of the match, being outplayed by the Italian.

Sinner outlasts Draper to secure US Open final berth

Draper entered the match with his right leg taped, the same one he received medical treatment for during his quarterfinal match against Alex De Minaur. Nonetheless, he looked physically fine in the early part of the match, where both players held their service games comfortably. Sinner got the first break in the 7th game, but Draper quickly recovered and leveled at 4-4.

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With Draper managing just 52% of his first serves (compared to Sinner’s 67%), the world No. 25 began to struggle holding his service games as the Italian's game intensified. Sinner secured the break and took the set 7-5 to avoid a tie-break. Sinner hadn’t faced any left-handed players throughout the tournament, which seemed to bother him, as his crosscourt backhand had little effect in rallies against Draper’s forehand.

The second set was fiercely contested, with long service games and break opportunities for both players. Draper vomited at 4-3, 40-40, but he personally grabbed his towel to clean up and prevent interruptions, despite the chair umpire's attempt to call a break.

A game later, at 4-4, they played one of the best points of the match, with Sinner slipping but recovering to win the point. It wasn’t insignificant, as Sinner twisted his left wrist, and once Draper held serve, both players received medical attention during the changeover.

Jannik Sinner at 2024 US Open.

Upon returning to the court, both were able to maintain a high level, and the physical problems they faced earlier didn’t seem to impact the game at that point. If the first set was tight, the second was even more so. Both held serve and went to a tie-break, where Sinner’s consistency helped him take the set 7-6(3).

In the third set, Draper’s speed and movement noticeably declined. Sinner exploited Draper’s second serves and dominated in long rallies. With the score at 3-2 in Sinner’s favor, it became clear that Draper was physically drained, especially given how much he had perspired during the match. A double fault in the middle of the game cost Draper a break, as he struggled to keep up with the world No. 1.

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The final part of the match saw Draper playing some of his worst tennis in a long time, clearly impacted by his physical exhaustion. Sinner secured one last break to close the match 7-5, 7-6(3), 6-2 and advance to the US Open final.

Sinner now awaits the winner of the match between Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe, who will be his opponent on Sunday as he aims for his second Grand Slam title.

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