Jannik Sinner becomes first Italian to reach multiple men's singles Grand Slam finals in Open Era

Jannik Sinner defeated Jack Draper in straight sets in the US Open 2024 semis.

Jannik Sinner has just hit a major milestone in Italian tennis history. The 22-year-old superstar became the first Italian player to reach multiple Men’s Singles Grand Slam finals in the Open Era after beating Jack Draper in the US Open 2024 semifinals.

Sinner fought through a tough match on Friday, winning 7-5, 7-6(3), 6-2 against the British player. The muggy weather at Arthur Ashe Stadium made things extra challenging, with Draper even throwing up during the match due to the heat.

This win puts Sinner in rare company. He’s now only the second Italian ever to make it to multiple Grand Slam finals in men’s singles. The only other Italian to do this was Nicola Pietrangeli, way back before the Open Era began in 1968.

Sinner’s path to tennis greatness started earlier this year when he won the Australian Open. Now, he’s got a shot at grabbing his second major title of 2024 if he can clinch the US Open championship on Sunday.

The young Italian’s success is a big deal for his home country. Italy has a rich tennis history, but it’s been a while since they’ve had a men’s player consistently competing for the biggest titles. Before Sinner, only two other Italian men had even made it to a Grand Slam final in the Open Era – Adriano Panatta at the 1976 French Open and Matteo Berrettini at Wimbledon in 2021.

Sinner’s rise to the top hasn’t been easy. He’s had to deal with the pressure of being the favourite to win after big names like Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz were knocked out early. But the Italian has shown he’s got what it takes to handle the heat – both on and off the court. Looking ahead to Sunday’s final, Sinner will face Taylor Fritz, who defeated his compatriot Frances Tiafoe.

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