Tennis

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner Admits Jack Draper Clash ‘Will Be A Tough One’ As Brit Storms To US Open Semifinals

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Cai Parry
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Cai Parry Sports Editor

Cai is a news and features writer that specialises in football, but has experience covering a variety of other sports, including darts, basketball, American football, MMA, boxing, and more. He holds a degree in Football Journalism (BA Hons) from the University of Derby, and worked with Nottingham Forest FC and Burton Albion FC throughout his studies. Cai also has experience working in social media with the Football Association of Wales, where he worked on a freelance basis, and has also been an accredited writer in the JD Cymru Premier for both Y Clwb Pêl-Droed and welshfootie since the 2019/20 season.

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Published05 Sep 2024

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Jannik Sinner Jack Draper

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has admitted that Friday’s US Open semifinal clash against Jack Draper ‘will be a tough one’, with the British youngster playing some ‘amazing tennis’ at the tournament thus far.

British tennis star Jack Draper booked his spot in a career-first Grand Slam semifinal on Wednesday, fighting his way past Alex de Minaur in the 2024 US Open quarterfinals.

Draper, who is the first British man to reach the final four at the US Open since Andy Murray did so and won the title in 2014, defeated the 10th seed Australian 6-3 7-5 6-2, maintaining his record of not yet having dropped a set at the tournament.

The 22-year-old’s run in New York resembles that of fellow Brit Emma Raducanu, who won the US Open in 2021 at the age of 18, and she also made it to the semifinals and won the competition without losing a set.

Sutton-born Draper now faces another tough test in facing world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in Friday’s semifinals, with the Italian seeing off Daniil Medvedev 6-2 1-6 6-1 6-4 in his quarterfinal clash.

Jannik Sinner Admits Jack Draper Clash Will Be ‘Very Tough’

The pair, who were doubles partners in Montreal last month, are good friends away from the court, and Sinner admitted that facing the Briton in his current form will be ‘very tough’.

“We know each other quite well, we are good friends off the court. It’s going to be very tough, he hasn’t lost one set, he’s playing great, serving great. I’m just happy to be in the semis.

“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 played up until now, so it’s going to be a tough one.”

Sinner went on to speak about his experience playing doubles with Draper in Canada last month: “It was nice to share the court with him in doubles in Montreal. You know, we got to know each other even more.

“You know, we text each other when we have good or bad times, you know, trying to keep us 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, you know, it’s whenever we shake our hands, it’s again friendship back, and all is going to be good.”