Sinner becomes first Italian man to reach US Open final after defeating Draper in straight sets

Jannik Sinner, the world number one at 23 years of age, made history on Friday by becoming the first Italian man to reach the US Open final, triumphing over a visibly unwell Jack Draper, aged 22, in straight sets.

The Australian Open champion secured his victory with scores of 7-5, 7-6(3), 6-2 and will compete for the title on Sunday against either Taylor Fritz, 26, or Frances Tiafoe, 26.

Draper, the first British man to reach the semi-finals since Andy Murray's victory in 2012, struggled in the latter part of the match, having vomited on the court earlier.

"Jack and I share a close friendship off the court," remarked Sinner, who recorded 43 winners during the match, despite sustaining a wrist injury from a fall.

"It was a physically demanding match. He is a formidable opponent, and I am thrilled to be in the final."

In a challenging three-hour contest, Draper succumbed to 10 double faults and 43 unforced errors, compounded by his illness.

"The final will present a significant challenge, regardless of who I face," Sinner noted, acknowledging that he is assured of competing against an American player.

"I am pleased to be in this position, as reaching the final on a Sunday signifies exceptional performance."

Draper, ranked 25th in the world, reached his first Grand Slam semi-final after being broken only three times in five rounds and not dropping a set.

However, Sinner began to disrupt that trend by breaking for a 4-3 lead, which Draper quickly equalized.

Draper was broken again following his sixth double fault in the 11th game, allowing the Italian top seed to serve out the match with a love game.

In a tense second set, Draper vomited at the side of the court, while Sinner fell while pursuing a shot from Draper, injuring his left wrist in the process.

Sinner won that point, but Draper managed to hold serve at 5-4.

Two trainers attended to both players' ailments simultaneously, although Sinner required a complete medical timeout.

Fortunately, the scare was short-lived, as the Italian swiftly dominated the tiebreak to establish a two-set advantage.

Draper looked physically spent and was reduced to walking pace as the third set and match slipped away from him.