Jannik Sinner equals 16-year Rafael Nadal record by reaching US Open 2024 semis

Jannik Sinner beat Daniil Medvedev to reach the semifinals, where he will face Jack Draper.

Jannik Sinner has emerged stronger from the doping controversy that clouded him recently. Since winning the Cincinnati Open, he has made the US Open 2024 semi-finals for the first time and is a favourite to pick up his second major of the season.

The Italian World No. #1 has been the hallmark of consistency ever since he won his maiden Grand Slam title in Melbourne in January. That was his first personal milestone, becoming the first Italian to win a major since Adriano Panatta won the French Open trophy in 1976. By the time Sinner won at Melbourne Park, 48 years had gone by.

Since then, a few more milestones have fallen to the Sinner onslaught. Recently, the Italian joined Rafael Nadal as the second youngest man since 1990 to make the semi-finals at four venues – the Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami and the US Open in a calendar year. The World No. #1 is 23 years, and 19 days this month. Rafael Nadal was 22 years, and 93 days when he accomplished the feat in 2008.

There can never be too much of a good thing for Jannik Sinner. For he went one step further by overcoming Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals. The result gave him his fourth Grand Slam semi-final of 2024, making him the fourth active player to reach the last four stage at all majors. 

Novak Djokovic was the first at the 2008 Australian Open, followed by Nadal at the US Open the same year. The third to join the club was Marin Cilic at the 2022 French Open. The last is, of course, Sinner in 2024 at the US Open.

Also Read: Top five youngest male players to win Australian Open and US Open in same season ft. Jannik Sinner, Roger Federer & more

The Italian has extended his winning record in the season to 53-5, three short of ATP tour leader Alexander Zverev (56 wins). Sinner leads the second-placed German by over 1500 points in the Race to Turin. The gap set to balloon should he leave New York with another victory. 

As all three of his fellow semi-finalists are chasing records of their own, Sinner will have to go the extra mile to prove he is hungry for another win. Jack Draper, Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe are enjoying one of their best years on tour, leaving them well-placed to challenge the last man standing among the top 10 seeds as the last Grand Slam of the year winds down.

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