World number one Jannik Sinner and former champion Daniil Medvedev are set to face off in a highly anticipated US Open quarter-final showdown, following the surprise early exits of Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. Both Sinner and Medvedev secured their spots in the last eight with dominant performances, highlighting their determination to capitalize on the unexpected void left by the tournament’s top seeds.
Sinner, the 22-year-old Italian and reigning Australian Open champion, made it to the US Open quarter-finals for the second time in his career by defeating US 14th seed Tommy Paul in straight sets, 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/5), 6-1. Despite trailing 4-1 in the first set, Sinner showcased his resilience, rallying to clinch two tight tiebreaks before comfortably sealing the third set. The victory denied Paul the opportunity to join fellow Americans Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe in the quarter-finals.
Reflecting on his upcoming match against Medvedev, Sinner acknowledged the physical challenge ahead. “It will be another tough match with Daniil. There will be a lot of rallies so I have to be ready physically,” Sinner said.
Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion and last year’s runner-up, dispatched Portugal’s Nuno Borges with ease, winning 6-0, 6-1, 6-3. The Russian broke Borges’ serve eight times and took advantage of his opponent’s 51 unforced errors. Medvedev’s commanding performance ensured his fifth quarter-final appearance at the US Open in six years. As the only former champion left in the men’s draw, following Djokovic and Alcaraz’s shock defeats, Medvedev is a strong contender for the title.
The upcoming quarter-final will be the fourth meeting between Sinner and Medvedev this year. Sinner won their encounters at the Australian Open final and the Miami semi-finals, while Medvedev emerged victorious in their five-set battle at Wimbledon. Medvedev, reflecting on their past matches, said, “I will try to think more about Wimbledon than the Australian Open. With Jannik, I feel like we know our games, what we will try to bring to the table, and then it comes to always this moment’s deuce, breakpoint, maybe try to surprise him or not, what he will do, what I will do.”
Meanwhile, Jack Draper made history by becoming the first British man since Andy Murray in 2016 to reach the US Open quarter-finals. The 22-year-old left-hander defeated Czech Republic’s Tomas Machac 6-3, 6-1, 6-2, in a dominant display where he dropped serve only once throughout the tournament. Draper, who has saved 20 of 21 break points and won 47 of 48 service games, hailed Murray’s influence, saying, “He’s a legend and an icon and if I have half the career that he had, I will be a happy man.” Draper will next face Australia’s Alex de Minaur, who won an all-Australian clash against Jordan Thompson.
On the women’s side, world number one Iga Swiatek continued her pursuit of a sixth Grand Slam title by defeating Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova 6-4, 6-1, marking her 100th Grand Slam match win. Swiatek is set to face American sixth seed Jessica Pegula, who she previously defeated on her way to the title two years ago. Pegula advanced with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Diana Shnaider.
Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia made history as the first Brazilian woman to reach the US Open quarter-finals since Maria Bueno in 1968, overcoming former world number one Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. She will face Karolina Muchova, a 2023 semi-finalist who defeated fifth seed Jasmine Paolini. Muchova, who returned to the tour in June after a 10-month absence due to a wrist injury, has yet to drop a set in the tournament and earlier knocked out two-time champion Naomi Osaka.
As the US Open progresses, the absence of Djokovic and Alcaraz opens the door for new champions to emerge, with Sinner and Medvedev leading the charge in what promises to be an electrifying quarter-final clash.
