In a breathtaking display of resilience and raw power, world number one Jannik Sinner kept his US Open dreams alive in the most dramatic fashion possible. The top seed stared down the barrel of a stunning exit before mounting a heroic comeback to defeat his fellow Italian, Lorenzo Musetti, 4-6, 6-7(7), 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
The highly anticipated all-Italian quarter-final at Flushing Meadows delivered a spectacle that far exceeded expectations, evolving from a potential upset into an instant classic. For over two sets, it was Musetti who commanded the Arthur Ashe Stadium court, his sublime one-handed backhand and tactical brilliance neutralising Sinner's formidable firepower.
A Masterclass from Musetti
Musetti came out with a flawless game plan, executing with precision and courage. He secured the first set by breaking Sinner’s serve and then displayed immense nerve in a second-set tiebreak, saving a critical set point with a audacious drop shot. The 22nd seed was on the cusp of a monumental victory, leaving the New York crowd and the tennis world in a state of shock.
The Sinner Resurgence
Just as the finish line came into view for Musetti, the match underwent a seismic shift. A single break in the eighth game of the third set ignited the Sinner fightback. Suddenly, the relentless depth and punishing pace that define his game returned with a vengeance.
“I was simply trying to find a solution, to fight for every point,” Sinner later remarked. “Lorenzo was playing incredible tennis; I had to dig deep.”
Dig deep he did. As Sinner’s winner count skyrocketed, Musetti’s energy and error count began to rise. The fourth and fifth sets became a one-way procession, with a physically and emotionally drained Musetti unable to halt the Sinner juggernaut. The match concluded after three hours and 33 minutes of high-octane drama.
What This Means
This victory propels Jannik Sinner into his third US Open semi-final, where he will face the winner of the match between Carlos Alcaraz and Andrey Rublev. The win solidifies his mental fortitude, proving he can win even when his best tennis deserts him for long stretches.
For Lorenzo Musetti, the defeat is a heartbreaking end to a magnificent tournament. However, his performance announces him as a genuine threat at the highest level and a proud moment for Italian tennis, which had two players in the last eight of a major for the first time in 48 years.
