Sinner, who previously won the Australian Open, prevailed with a score of 7-5, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 and will face either Taylor Fritz or Frances Tiafoe in the championship match on Sunday.
“Jack and I know each other very well, we are great friends off court,” said Sinner who unleashed 43 winners in the match where he also injured his wrist in a nasty fall.
“It was a very physical match. He’s so tough to beat so I’m excited to be in the final.”
Despite an impressive run in the tournament, where he had only been broken three times and hadn’t dropped a set in five rounds, Draper found himself under pressure from Sinner.
The Italian top seed capitalized on Draper’s sixth double fault to secure a break in the 11th game before closing out the set with a love game.
“In the final, it will be a very tough challenge whoever I play,” added Sinner of being guaranteed to face an American opponent.
“I’m happy to be in that position because if you are in the final on a Sunday it means you are doing an amazing job.”
The second set took a dramatic turn when Draper vomited courtside, and Sinner subsequently fell while chasing a shot, injuring his left wrist in the process.
Although Sinner won the point, Draper managed to hold serve for a 5-4 lead. Both players received medical attention, with Sinner requiring a full timeout.
However, the Italian quickly recovered and dominated the tiebreak, establishing a two-set advantage.
As the match progressed into the third set, Draper’s physical exhaustion became evident, and he was reduced to a walking pace.
Sinner capitalized on his opponent’s diminished state, swiftly closing out the set and the match, securing his place in the US Open final.
Source Agencies
