Jannik Sinner faces alarming injury wait as worrying images emerge after Jack Draper win
Jannik Sinner turned on the style to beat Jack Draper and storm into his first US Open final, but the Italian may face an anxious wait to discover the extent of the wrist injury he sustain in a draining semi-final.
Draper had reached the last four without dropping a set but ran into the best player in the world on Friday night and, although he went toe-to-toe for the majority of the contest, he came up short in a 7-5 7-6(3) 6-2 loss.
Sinner’s class shone through despite a spirited effort from Draper, but the world No 1 will be concerned by the damage he has done to his left wrist after a fall in the second set.
After tumbling to the floor in a dramatic point, Sinner jumped to his feet, shook his wrist in pain and then produced a firecracker of a forehand to win the point.
Images have emerged of Sinner in the warm-down area with a big icepack on the wrist and he will be concerned that it will swell up overnight, ahead of his first US Open final on Sunday.
Sinner received treatment on court before closing out the match against a physically drained Draper and admitted it was a tough battle against his friend and rival.
“Me and Jack know each other very well. We are great friends off the court,” said Sinner.
“It was a very physical match. I tried to stay there mentally. He is so tough to beat.
“It was a very special occasion. Thank you everyone for coming out. The support has been amazing and I’m happy to be in the final.
“I’m just looking forward to it. The season I’m going through is very positive, and finals are special days.
“Every Sunday you play at a tournament means you are doing an amazing job. We will keep pushing and see what we can do on Sunday.”
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Former British No 1 Tim Henman suggested Draper could be proud of his efforts to reach the semi-final, but he admitted Sinner was a league apart from him on Arthur Ashe Stadium Court.
“Sinner played the better tennis. It was really about Sinner playing better tennis at the most important times,” Henman told Sky Sports.
“There were some ebbs and flows in the first set, but at the end of first and second set – there was a lot of drama – but that was when Sinner showed his class, with his ball striking on both wings.
“He was making the rallies physical and it was too much for Jack. He will learn so much from this.
“To be in a Grand Slam semi-final for the first time is a huge stepping stone. Onwards and upwards.
“Credit to Jannik Sinner. In the important moments, he played his best tennis, but spare a thought for Jack Draper. He gave it absolutely everything out there.
“He obviously wasn’t feeling his best – vomiting three times on the court but refused to give in. He kept fighting, he has had an absolutely brilliant tournament and he will learn so much from this.
“This will be first of many Grand Slam semi-finals. He is going to on to make finals and I think he can win Grand Slams in the future.”
