Jannik Sinner has become the youngest semi-finalist on the ATP World Tour for five years after edging out Frances Tiafoe 6-4 3-6 6-3.
The Italian continues to rise in the men’s game as he has become the youngest ATP semi-finalist since Borna Coric five years ago.
A break in the sixth game in the deciding set was all that the 18 year-old needed to clinch his spot in the last four in Antwerp.
After a milestone win in his young career, Sinner admitted he was happy to reach an ATP semi-final, “I just can say thanks for the wild card!” he proclaimed on court.
“I think I played good today once more. It was not easy in the end. I was shaking a little bit. On the important points, I was serving quite good, and I’m happy to be in the semi-finals.
“Of course at the end I was shaking a little bit. I tried to reset after the easy volley in the last game and I served a very good first serve and second serve, so I’m very happy now that I’ve reached the semi-finals.”
After hitting 10 aces, the Italian backed up his win over Gael Monfils, which was his first top 50 victory, to reach his maiden ATP semi-final.
Next for the Italian is Stan Wawrinka after he edged past Gilles Simon 6-3 6-7(6) 6-2 to set up a meeting against a guy that he has been practicing a lot with.
Their last meeting saw Wawrinka win in four sets at the US Open, which was when Sinner made a name for himself for the first time.
Speaking about the meeting, Sinner seems excited about playing the three-time grand slam champion,”So maybe I can win this time, and I’m looking forward to the next one.”
