Jannik Sinner has breezed into the semifinals of the US Open after a commanding victory over fellow Italian Lorenzo Musetti.
Musetti was really impressed by Sinner, who won their US Open quarterfinal 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Sinner is looking to defend his title in New York this year, and now takes on Felix Auger-Aliassime for a spot in the final.
American Taylor Fritz represented his opponent in the 2024 final, in which the Italian triumphed 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 for his second Grand Slam title.
That victory arrived in between two Australian Open titles, while Sinner added a Wimbledon success to his list earlier this year.
Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesJannik Sinner messages Lorenzo Musetti after their US Open quarterfinal
He also lost the French Open final shortly before, but is now fully focused on another hard-court Grand Slam success at the US Open.
And ATP number 10 Musetti was the latest of his victims in New York, where the top seed has dropped just one set so far.
He did, however, show at least some empathy with his latest opponent, sending him a brief message on social media after their match.
Tagging Musetti on Instagram, Sinner wrote: “Always special to share the court with you. Thanks for the great match, my friend. Happy to be back in the US Open semifinals!”
What is Jannik Sinner’s current hard-court Grand Slam winning streak?
Sinner was as ruthless as ever against Musetti, who may have mixed feelings after his exit from the competition.
He will be disappointed by the nature of the loss to his fellow Italian, even with his opponent’s level at this moment in time.
However, Musetti can hold his head high after a tournament to remember, which started with a fine opening win over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
He then defeated David Goffin, Flavio Cobolli and Jaume Munar before finally falling to the world number one.
Overcoming Sinner in New York would have been a huge shock, not least because of his stunning record at hard-court Grand Slams.
He has just extended his winning run at such tournaments to 26, and finds himself in truly sublime company in that regard.
PlayerStreakRoger Federer40 (2005-08)Novak Djokovic27 (2011-12)Jannik Sinner26 (active)Novak Djokovic26 (2015-16)Ivan Lendl26 (1985-88)John McEnroe25 (1979-82)Longest men’s hard-court Grand Slam win streaks
Whether or not Auger-Aliassime can finally break that run remains to be seen, although he does enter their meeting with a 2-1 win-loss record over Sinner.
If not, the burden will then fall onto the shoulders of either Novak Djokovic or Carlos Alcaraz, who meet in the other US Open semifinal.