Jannik Sinner addresses wrist injury concerns ahead of US Open 2024 final against Taylor Fritz after nasty fall during SF
Jannik Sinner downed Britain's Jack Draper 7-5, 7-6(3), 6-2 in the semifinals of the 2024 US Open on Friday, September 6. In the process, he became the first Italian man to qualify for the final in New York.
He will face 12th seed Taylor Fritz, who overcame fellow American Frances Tiafoe in his semifinal effort, for the coveted title.
Sinner hit 11 aces and converted four break points to defeat the ailing Draper, who was playing in a Grand Slam semifinal for the first time. Notably, the Italian also had his fair share of trouble after he suffered a nasty fall during an intense point in the ninth game of the second set.
Jannik called for a medical timeout and received treatment on the left wrist, which is crucial for his darting backhands. He played the remainder of the match without showing visible signs of discomfort.
Later on Friday, the World No. 1 addressed the injury concerns ahead of the all-important meeting with Fritz on Sunday and praised the physio.
"The physio loosened it up very fast on court so I felt okay in the beginning then after it went away with playing which is good," Jannik Sinner during his post-match presser.
The World No. 1, however, reckoned that he would assess the affected area in the next 24 hours.
"Let’s see how it is tomorrow when it’s cold. It’s gonna be a different feeling, hopefully, it’s nothing to concern about," he said.
The Italian seemed less worried as he continued:
"I’m quite relaxed because if it’s something bad you feel it straightaway a bit more so yeah let’s see how it is."
Jannik Sinner tied with Taylor Fritz at 1-1 in head-to-head ahead of 2024 US Open final
It will be Jannik Sinner's third on-court meeting with Taylor Fritz, with their head-to-head tally tied at 1-1.
The duo's meetings have notably been played at Indian Wells. Fritz drew first blood by defeating Sinner 6-4, 6-3 in a Round-of-16 clash in 2021 en route to the semifinals.
Jannik Sinner avenged the loss by overcoming the American 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the quarterfinals two years later.
Sunday's showdown will notably be the Italian's second final at the Grand Slam level and the first for Fritz. In the previous rounds, Sinner went past Mackenzie McDonald, Alex Michelsen, Christopher O'Connell, Tommy Paul, and Daniil Medvedev.
Taylor Fritz, on the other hand, beat the likes of Camilo Ugo Carabelli, Matteo Berrettini, Francisco Comesana, Casper Ruud, and Alexander Zverev previously at the 2024 US Open.