Defending US Open champion Jannik Sinner delivered a masterclass performance against compatriot Lorenzo Musetti on Wednesday evening, securing a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 victory in precisely two hours at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The world No1's triumph marked the first men's Grand Slam quarter-final between two Italian players in tennis history.
Sinner's relentless form has seen him drop merely 38 games across five matches at Flushing Meadows this year, establishing himself as the tournament's most dominant force.
The comprehensive victory extended his remarkable winning sequence at hard-court majors to 26 consecutive matches, placing him alongside tennis legends Novak Djokovic and Ivan Lendl for the third-longest streak in history.
Defending US Open champion Jannik Sinner delivered a masterclass performance against compatriot Lorenzo Musetti on Wednesday evening, securing a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 victory
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The 24-year-old Italian dominated from the outset, racing through the opening five games whilst conceding merely five points before Musetti finally registered on the scoreboard.
Sinner's superiority was reflected in the statistics: he claimed 91 per cent of first-serve points, struck 28 winners against 17 unforced errors, and crucially saved all seven break points he faced.
Jannik Sinner was dominant throughout the contest, as he has been across the tournament
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The tenth-seeded Musetti managed just 12 winners whilst committing 22 errors, unable to capitalise on the limited opportunities that arose against his compatriot's relentless baseline assault.
Sinner converted five of his six break-point chances, demonstrating the clinical edge that has characterised his championship defence.
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Lorenzo Musetti cut a frustrated figure at times on the court
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Musetti acknowledged the gulf in class following the match, admitting: "I never played, honestly, someone who put me on this kind of rush in the rally. He was always leading the rally."
The world No10 praised his opponent's performance, stating he was "pretty impressed" by Sinner's display and recognised the match as valuable preparation for future improvements.
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Sinner addressed the unique challenge of competing against a fellow countryman, saying: "We have to take the friendship away for the match and then when we shake hands it's everything fine."
The top seed's victory improved his flawless record against Italian opponents to 16-0.
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Jannik Sinner opened up on his 'friendship' with Lorenzo Musetti after the victory
|REUTERS
Sinner advances to face Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime in Friday's semi-final, with the 25th seed having overcome Alex de Minaur in their quarter-final encounter.
The Italian holds a recent advantage over Auger-Aliassime, having defeated him comprehensively in Cincinnati last month, though the Canadian has claimed two of their three career meetings.
"It's going to be a very, very difficult match for both of us, because at a grand slam the energy and everything is different," Sinner cautioned.
Victory would see Sinner become the first man to successfully defend the US Open crown since Roger Federer achieved five consecutive titles ending in 2008.