Sinner recalls junior memories of friend Draper ahead of US Open SF clash

Jannik Sinner’s standout 2024 continued on Wednesday night in New York, where the World No. 1 held off his rival Daniil Medvedev in four sets at the US Open. His reward? A semi-final matchup with his friend Jack Draper.

Sinner and Draper, who teamed up for some ATP Masters 1000 doubles action earlier this month in Montreal, have known each other since their junior days.

“I don't remember playing against him… But I do remember seeing him from outside,” said Sinner of Draper in his post-match press conference after defeating Medvedev. “Obviously lefty, it's also tough to see, as there are fewer lefties than righties. You know, his ball striking was always very, very good.

“It was nice to share the court with him in doubles in Montreal. We got to know each other even more. We text each other when we have good or bad times, trying to keep ourselves up. It's a great friendship. Obviously, we try to put this away for the hours we are on court. I think that's quite obvious. But whenever we shake our hands, it's again friendship and all is going to be good.”

Sinner revealed that his friendship with Draper really crystallised after the pair’s only previous Lexus ATP Head2Head clash, where Draper defeated the Italian in straight sets at the Queen’s Club in 2021. Struggles with injury have since hindered the Briton’s progress, but he will step on court against Sinner on Friday as the only semi-finalist yet to drop a set this fortnight in New York.

“It's going to be a tough match. He hasn't lost one set yet. He's playing great. He's serving great,” said Sinner. “I saw also the match today, he's hitting very, very strong. So it's going to be tough match but I'm looking forward to it and hopefully it's going to be a good match.”

Sinner is the only semi-finalist from the Top 10 of the PIF ATP Rankings, holds a 53-5 record for the year and has already secured his spot at the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals. While those factors make him the favourite to lift the title in New York, the Australian Open champion knows all too well how challenging the competition gets at the back end of a Grand Slam event.

“Whoever is in the quarters or semis or round of 16 deserves to be there. No win is granted,” said Sinner. "You always have to find a solution against each opponent. I think that's what I try to do.

“Now the matches are a bit different. Semis, you know, the feelings before the match isn't that different. I'm lucky that I played already with these kind of feelings, but let's see. It's going to be very interesting to see. I'm happy to be in this position, trying to play some great tennis. And as I said, Jack is playing some amazing tennis, maybe the best tennis he's playing until now, so it's going to be a tough one.”

Sinner will hope that a similarly complete performance to the one he produced against Medvedev will be enough to help him reach his second Grand Slam championship match. The Italian pulled through a chess match with the fifth seed to reach his third major semi-final of the season.

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“I think there were many keys today,” said Sinner. “Tactically and obviously starting with a break up in the first and third, it helps you a little bit with the confidence. That is what [Medvedev] did in the second set. But I had some break points to break back; I couldn't. It helped me also mentally to stay there in every moment.

“I am happy how I handled the situation. It's very tough against him. I think it was a great match from both sides. I think the fourth set was tougher and the scoreboard was a bit different, but all things considered, I'm very, very happy and let's see what I can do now in the semis.”

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