Jannik Sinner, the defending US Open champion, has faced accusations of deploying gamesmanship tactics to halt Felix Auger-Aliassime’s rhythm during their semi-final clash. The 24-year-old Italian, who withdrew from the Cincinnati Masters final last month, called for a medical timeout ahead of the third set after claiming the opener 6-1 before surrendering the second 6-3 to his Canadian opponent.<\/p>\n
Sinner was spotted receiving treatment from a physiotherapist on his right arm before departing the court momentarily. Following his return, he appeared rejuvenated, securing the third set 6-3 and forcing the encounter into a fourth set.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, certain US Open spectators have criticised Sinner for alleged tactical manoeuvring, claiming his injury break was calculated to disrupt Auger-Aliassime’s flow.<\/p>\n
“Yup, tried to slow Felix’s momentum,” one viewer tweeted.<\/p>\n
“Clear as day gamesmanship… clearly threatened,” another viewer commented.<\/p>\n
“Just completely kills the momentum for Felix,” a third viewer remarked.<\/p>\n
“And now Sinner is flying around the court,” a fourth viewer noted, referring to Sinner’s comeback in the third set.<\/p>\n
Sinner secured a spot in a fifth straight Grand Slam final since his US Open triumph last year.<\/p>\n
He captured the Australian Open<\/a> in February, advanced to the Roland-Garros final against Carlos Alcaraz<\/a>, and triumphed at Wimbledon<\/a>. A triumph over Auger-Aliassime would set up a third consecutive Slam final showdown with Alcaraz, underlining the pair’s dominance on the ATP Tour.<\/p>\n Djokovic stands as the last player to claim a Slam outside of Sinner and Alcaraz (2023 US Open). Alcaraz defeated 24-time Slam winner Djokovic in straight sets before Sinner took to the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium.<\/p>\n The 22-year-old is chasing a sixth Grand Slam at his young age. Alcaraz also holds a 9-5 advantage over Sinner in their head-to-head record.<\/p>\n “I think he, in the way — I think physically he has improved a lot, and that’s obviously,” Alcaraz said about Sinner. “I mean, it wasn’t a secret.<\/p>\n “He has spoken about the physical conditions that he has to improve, and I think the last year, the last two years, he has improved a lot physically. You know, his matches are really demanding physically that he’s able to play at his 100% during two, three, four hours, and I think that’s the biggest improvement he has made in the last years.”<\/p>\n A Sinner-Alcaraz title match would also determine who leaves Flushing Meadows as the Men’s Singles World No. 1.<\/p>\n Sinner currently holds the ranking he has maintained since June 2024.<\/p>\n