NEW YORK (AP) – Top-seeded Jannik Sinner advanced to the U.S. Open quarterfinals on Monday night after overcoming a slow start and winning two closely contested tiebreakers in the first two sets, eventually defeating No. 14 seed Tommy Paul 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5), 6-1.
Sinner, who was recently cleared in a doping case involving two positive tests in March, is set to face 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev in the next round. Medvedev remains the only former champion still in the men’s draw at Flushing Meadows.
The 23-year-old Italian claimed his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January, where he came from two sets down to defeat Medvedev in a five-set final. The two also faced off in the Wimbledon quarterfinals in July, where Medvedev emerged victorious.
Reflecting on his upcoming match, Sinner said, “It’s going to be a lot of running, so hopefully I’ll be ready physically.”
During his match against Paul, Sinner struggled at the beginning, falling behind by two breaks to trail 4-1 just 20 minutes into the game at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“That’s where you want to be,” Paul said of the atmosphere. “It’s definitely different than any other setting. It’s electric.”