Jannik Sinner defeated his fellow countryman and close friend Lorenzo Musetti to advance to the US Open semi-finals. With this win, Sinner becomes the second-youngest male player since 1968 to reach the last four, following Rafael Nadal’s run in 2008.

Following the match, Sinner acknowledged Musetti as a good friend but said that friendship had to be set aside for the duration of the contest.

“We know each other very well,” Sinner said of Musetti after his two-hour victory. “We are from the same country. We have so many Italian players every time in the draw. I know here, there are many Italians, so it’s nice to play here.

Obviously, playing Davis Cup together and stuff like this, we have to take the friendship away for the match, and then obviously when we shake hands, everything is fine.

From my point of view, it was a great performance — very solid. Especially starting very, very well in the match.”

Sinner will now face world number two Carlos Alcaraz in what promises to be a thrilling semi-final clash. The two have faced each other 14 times on the ATP Tour, with Alcaraz winning nine of those encounters.

In the 2025 season, they’ve already met five times, with Alcaraz winning four, and Sinner claiming one victory.