Jannik Sinner wins the first US Open semi-final with plenty of drama. The big outsider Jack Draper is not doing well at all.
Top favorite Jannik Sinner has reached the final of the US Open for the first time in a semifinal with plenty of drama. The Italian tennis world number one fell on his left wrist during the 7:5, 7:6 (7:3), 6:2 match against outsider Jack Draper and had to be treated. His British opponent vomited several times on the court during the match and spoke afterwards about fears in such big matches.
“I was a little more nervous today,” said Draper. “I’m an anxious person. When everything comes together, I feel a little nauseous on the court and feel bad when things get tight.” Sinner felt for the 22-year-old: “Jack and I know each other very well, we’re good friends. It was a very physical match,” said the South Tyrolean. “Semifinals at a Grand Slam are something different. You feel a lot of tension.”
Sinner wants second Grand Slam title
The 23-year-old can now hope for his second Grand Slam title after winning the Australian Open in January. In the final, Sinner will face the winner of the American duel between Alexander Zverev’s conqueror Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe. Sinner is under special observation after two positive doping tests in the spring and his acquittal shortly before the tournament.
Draper held his own at times in the biggest match of his career, but his play was too inconsistent. The world number 25 made ten double faults in total. Before this match, he had not lost a single set in the tournament.
Draper looks for cooling
In the second set, the 22-year-old was obviously not feeling well, he vomited several times and then cleaned the court with a towel. In the humid conditions, he tried to cool himself down when changing sides by putting ice towels around his neck and thighs and using cold air from a hose.
Sinner also had problems. When running back at 4:4 in the second set, he fell on his left wrist and had to be treated on the bench like Draper. This loosened up the wrist, said Sinner. “We’ll have to see how it is tomorrow when it’s colder. It will be different. Hopefully there’s nothing I have to worry about.” In the third set, he won the last four games in a row and converted his first match point after 3:03 hours.
Source: www.sport.de
