Sinner outshines Tommy Paul in thrilling semifinal clash at Canadian Open and reach another Masters 1000 final

Sunday, 13 August 2023 at 03:57

Jannik Sinner eliminated Tommy Paul from the National Bank Toronto Open by 6-4, 6-4 and reached his second Masters 1000 final of the year.

A captivating semifinal clash marked the conclusion of an eventful Saturday of semifinals in Canada.

Young Italian sensation Jannik Sinner, who received a second-round bye, had an interesting journey to the semis. After defeating Matteo Berrettini, his scheduled match against Andy Murray in the round of 16 was canceled due to Murray's withdrawal following a recurrence of his abdominal injury.

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In the quarterfinals, Sinner locked horns with Frenchman Gael Monfils, emerging victorious after a fierce three-set battle that ended 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. This propelled Sinner into his third consecutive hardcourt Masters 1000 semifinal, a feat achieved last by Roger Federer in 2017.

Facing Sinner in the semifinal was Tommy Paul, who has also showcased remarkable form throughout the week.

As the 12th seed, Paul navigated through the draw with wins over Argentine players Diego Schwartzman and Francisco Cerundolo in the earlier rounds. He continued his impressive run by defeating fellow American Marcos Giron in the round of 16.

However, Paul's most notable feat came in the quarterfinals against top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz. In a thrilling encounter, Paul managed to snap Alcaraz's impressive 14-match winning streak, securing victory with a scoreline of 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

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The first set witnessed struggles on serve for both players. Consecutive service breaks occurred, with Sinner and Paul each losing their opening service games. At 3-2 in Sinner's favor, he secured a pivotal break to extend his lead. Despite this, Paul fought back to level the score. Ultimately, Sinner clinched the set 5-4, breaking Paul once again.

Paul encountered challenges with his first serve, only landing 55% of them and winning just 59% of those points. Sinner's first serve percentage was even lower at 47%, but he compensated by winning an impressive 75% of those points.

As the match progressed to the second set, both players continued to contend with serve-related difficulties. Sinner managed to secure a break in the fourth game and surged to a 5-2 advantage, ultimately securing the set.

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Paul won the next two games and had the opportunity to serve to even the match, but the Italian seized his third match point to ultimately eliminate the American from the tournament by a score of 6-4, 6-4.

With this victory, Sinner secures his second Masters 1000 final appearance this year, joining the ranks of Carlos Alcaraz (who has won two titles) and Holger Rune (two-time runner-up). He stands second only to Daniil Medvedev, who has contested three finals and clinched two titles.

Tomorrow's final will see Sinner going head-to-head against the Australian sensation Alex De Minaur. The Australian, a notable surprise in the tournament, has defied expectations by reaching his first Masters 1000 final without being seeded.

He booked his spot in the final with a convincing win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, sealing a commanding victory with a score of 6-1, 6-3.

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The moment @janniksin reached the final in Toronto! ⚡ #NBO23

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1:56 AM · Aug 13, 2023

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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