The US Open has been nothing short of drama, and not just from the action on the courts. From accusations of biased commentary to questions about player behavior, this year’s tournament has been surrounded by a cloud of controversies. Now, as the tournament nears its climax, the organizers are facing yet another wave of backlash — and this time, it’s over the scheduling of the semifinal matches, that has put the organizers under immense flak. 

For the ticket to the final of the US Open, compatriots Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz will take on each other on Friday. To face one of them for the title, Jannik Sinner and Jack Draper would also play on the same day at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. But interestingly, the decision of the organizers regarding the schedule of the match has taken the tennis community by surprise. 

Usually, players who get additional days off ahead of the semi-final match are scheduled for the day session. Similarly, the players who get one fewer day to relax ahead of the match are scheduled to play in the evening or the night session. But the US Open organizers have done just the opposite. Despite Tiafoe and Fritz, who played their matches on 3rd September, getting one day more to rest as compared to Sinner and Draper, their match has been scheduled for the night of 6th September. On the other hand, Sinner and Draper will play in the afternoon of the same day.

This surprised several people in the tennis community. Taking to X, tennis commentator and journalist Jose Morgado expressed his shock and wrote, “Wow. I shouldn’t be surprised but… Sinner vs. Draper, who had one less rest day, will play the day session semifinal tomorrow at the #USOpen. Fritz vs. Tiafoe, who had two days off, get the night session.” He also alleged that it is due to the broadcaster ESPN, that such a decision has been taken which would help them gain more audience base since it would be an All-American match. Interestingly, the rule has not been defied over the years. 

Even in Wimbledon this year, Carlos Alcaraz had to play in the afternoon during the semi-final match against Daniil Medvedev. Novak Djokovic, on the other hand, did not get an equal amount of rest and played in the evening. For Sinner, the situation can be more worrisome as it has not been long since he has recuperated from the illness that he faced during the Paris Olympics. Playing matches in such short intervals might impact his health further. While only time will tell if the decision will affect the players physically, Sinner is all geared up for the match. 

“No win is granted,” Jannik Sinner denies to undermine Jack Draper

Jannik Sinner is fresh off his victory at the Cincinnati Masters. But despite his sensational form and the World No. 1 status, he is not undermining his British opponent. Speaking ahead of the match, Sinner expressed high regard for Draper, against whom the Italian dynamo trails in the head-to-head tally, 1-0. 

“It’s going to be a tough match. He hasn’t lost one set yet. He’s playing great. He’s serving great,” said Sinner. “I saw also the match today, he’s hitting very, very strong. So it’s going to be tough match but I’m looking forward to it and hopefully it’s going to be a good match. He further shared that he is taking the match quite seriously. “Whoever is in the quarters or semis or round of 16 deserves to be there. No win is granted,” Sinner added. “You always have to find a solution against each opponent. I think that’s what I try to do.”

As the tournament unfolds, it would be interesting to see if Sinner can overcome the fatigue and advance to the finals of the tournament. But a series of intense showdowns is what remains certain at the US Open.