Watch out New York: Jannik Sinner near flawless in thrashing compatriot Lorenzo Musetti to reach US Open semi-finals

Jannik Sinner is through to the semi-finals and it was another ominous test for the World No.1 as he surged through dropping minimal games and in straight sets to boot at the US Open. This against Lorenzo Musetti 6-1, 6-4, 6-2.

A close friend of Sinner, it can either go one of two ways as Sinner dealt with him with a modicum of ease compared to the potential to give him too much respect and be dragged into a bit of a dog fight. After easing past Alexander Bublik at the US Open, Sinner became the second youngest man in the Open Era to reach the semi-finals of all four Grand Slams behind Rafael Nadal in 2008.

His winning streak at Hard Court Events could in fact tie then surpass Novak Djokovic potentially against him in the final. He is currently on 26 with Djokovic on 27 in 2011-2012 and if he wins the title, only Federer will be catchable on 40. But he would likely have to remain unbeaten over the Asian hard court swing and part of the Australian Open too. Albeit putting that past him is something to do at your peril.

Next is Felix Auger-Aliassime who he eased past last month. He dropped just two games in a Quarter-Final thrashing. Auger-Aliassime won their previous two meetings but how much their games have changed was very much on show when they met in Cincinnati. Back to Musetti and Sinner burst out the traps.

In all he saved all seven break points and converted five out of six and most of those were in the opening stanza as he took the first five games of the set in just 27 minutes with Musetti forced to play very defensive tennis and locked into the court. Musetti made errors as a result of the need to go a little bit more stylish on his play. The second set was a bit more close as Musetti finally started to find his feet. At 1-2, Sinner hit an unreturnable serve before holding with an ace but Musetti himself produced the goods later on as he went break point down before losing out in an 18-shot rally before escaping with a hold. Serving at 4-4, he double faulted to give the advantage to Sinner who then served it out for a two set lead.

Musetti's resistance was very much fading from there as he was broken in the opening service game and it was a bit like the first set. Albeit he got more break point chances, in the next game and also at 3-2, but Sinner found a way and they were quelled and then brought back onto him at later on in the set as Sinner went on to seal the victory with a pair of aces in a showcase of emphatic style. This with 42 out of 46 on first serve points, 28 winners to 17 unforced errors and despite gifting Musetti chances, he never lost his serve either.