Top seed Jannik Sinner delivered a masterful performance to overcome American Tommy Paul, advancing to the U.S. Open quarter-finals with a 7-6(3), 7-6(5), 6-1 victory on Monday.
Playing in front of a raucous crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Sinner showcased his resilience and precision, firing 10 aces to secure his place in the last eight of all four major tournaments this year—a remarkable achievement that sets him apart on the ATP tour.
“I served very well in the beginning of the match, and yes, there are some ups and downs, obviously,” Sinner reflected after the match. “Finding my rhythm at the end of the match hopefully helps for the next one.”
Paul, buoyed by passionate home support, exhibited flashes of brilliance, especially in his defensive play, where he saved 10 out of 14 break points. Despite his best efforts, Paul’s dream of ending a 21-year U.S. men’s Grand Slam drought was dashed by Sinner’s relentless precision and powerful baseline game.
“We have two Americans (Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz) still left in the tournament, but, you know, it’s never really felt this open, in a way,” Paul commented post-match. “So I believe that one of us can do it at some point.”
Paul’s strong start in the first set, where he won 11 consecutive points to take a 4-1 lead, raised hopes among the American faithful. However, Sinner quickly regrouped, breaking back in the sixth and eighth games, the latter with a stunning forehand winner down the line. The set culminated in a tense tiebreak, with Sinner forcing a crucial backhand error from Paul on set point.
The second set was equally dramatic, with Sinner missing a late break point opportunity. The umpire had to intervene multiple times to calm the electric crowd during another closely contested tiebreak, but Sinner’s composed baseline play ultimately subdued Paul.
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In the third set, Paul’s resistance began to falter. Despite surviving a grueling 21-shot rally to save a break point in the second game, a double fault handed Sinner the advantage. The world number one didn’t hesitate, sealing the set and match with a blistering forehand winner.
Sinner celebrated with a fist pump as Paul’s final shot sailed long, marking his triumph. “You have to accept he’s moving very well, he can mix up the game. I’m happy about the win today,” Sinner said, reflecting on the challenge posed by Paul.
Up next for Sinner is a blockbuster quarter-final clash against 2021 U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev, a rematch of their epic Australian Open final earlier this year, which Sinner won in a five-set thriller. “Tough match. It’s going to be a lot of rallies, so hopefully I’ll be ready physically,” Sinner remarked, setting the stage for another high-stakes showdown.
