Jannik Sinner, the reigning US Open champion, defeated Lorenzo Musetti, the 10th seed, in straight sets to reach the semi-finals on Wednesday.
In the first all-Italian men’s quarter-final in Grand Slam history, Sinner defeated Musetti 6-1, 6-4, and 6-2.
Sinner, who is 16-0 against Italian players, said, “We have to take the friendship away for the game and everything is fine again.”
“It was a fantastic, very strong performance. I did a great job of starting the match.
He advances to the semi-finals of the Canadian Open with Felix Auger-Aliassime, a 25th seed from Canada.
READ MORE: Djokovic Sets Up Alcaraz US Open Blockbuster As Sabalenka Advances
Every player who competes in the Grand Slam semis can claim to be playing the game at its best, Sinner continued.
Auger-Aliassime has won two of his previous meetings, but Sinner thrashed him last month in Cincinnati for just two games.
With his 86th victory, the 24-year-old Sinner also tied Nicola Pietrangeli for the most Grand Slam victories by an Italian man.
Sinner wants to become the first person to successfully defend the US Open title since Roger Federer won the final five of his previous five titles in 2008.
This year, he has won the Australian Open and Wimbledon, but Carlos Alcaraz lost in a five-set epic battle to reach the French Open final.
Sinner won the first set in 27 minutes as he seized control of the first five games against Musetti.
Before Musetti’s double fault at 4-all caused a single break chance for both players in the second set, which was much closer.
Sinner seized on a two-set lead before resuming play to begin the third set.
Musetti had four break points in the following game and two more when Sinner served with a score of 3-1, but he was unable to defend his rival.
Sinner broke again to earn a commanding victory at the majors, his 26th consecutive victory.
This month, FIFA will launch a multi-phase ticket sales process for the 2026 World Cup, with starting single-seat prices starting at $ 60 for group-stage matches and $ 6 710 for the final.
The world football governing body announced on Wednesday the schedule for the first phase of sales, announcing that fans will be able to purchase single-game tickets, venue-specific tickets, and team-specific packages. These prices will change based on demand.
From June 11 through July 19 of next year, 58 teams will compete in the biggest field in World Cup history.
Fans with Visa cards can register for a FIFA ID on the organization’s website to enter a September 10 to 19 presale drawing.
Those chosen by the randomized presale draw may then apply for tickets starting October 1.
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No more than 40 tickets can be purchased for the entire tournament, and sales are limited to four per person per match.
In the upcoming months, additional ticket sales will be made, with registration for phase two scheduled for mid-November through early December set to open on October 27.
Fans can apply for specific matches in the coming days of Phase 3, which will take place on December 5 in Washington.
Fans will be able to purchase the remaining inventory on a first-come, first-served basis closer to the tournament.
In a statement, FIFA said it would also be able to provide fans with conditional supporter tickets and supporter tickets for those who want to reserve a spot in potential knockout rounds.
FIFA will also introduce a dedicated resale platform.
Amanda Anisimova, the eighth seed, avenged her Wimbledon final drubbing with a stunning upset over Iga Swiatek.
After falling 6-0, 6-0 behind in the final match of Swiatek’s Wimbledon title in July, Anisimova recovered from that double-bagel disaster to win 6-4, 6-3.
With a full roster of players available for the match scheduled for this weekend, the Super Eagles have increased their preparations in advance of their crucial World Cup qualifier against Rwanda in 2026.  ,
Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, Raphael Onyedika, and Chrisantus Uche, who were all invited, have since stormed the team’s camp in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The Super Eagles have made the most of their time by working ahead of the game. On Tuesday night, they conducted their first training in the coastal state, focusing on tactical drills and set-piece routines, among other things.  ,
READ ALSO: [WCQ] Boniface Isn’t In The Final Squad for the South Africa, Rwanda Games.
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers get underway, Chukwueze, Osimhen, Uche, and Tolu have checked into camp.
Watch their arrivals at https://t.co/Iyn1YIsmXR pic. twitter.com/POLEliQlvr
The Nigerian side resumed training on Wednesday as Coach Eric Chelle adjusted his game’s strategy.  ,
The three-time African champions will face Rwanda in Uyo on Saturday before flying to South Africa to face the Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein three days later.
Chelle’s team are in a difficult position to advance to the 2026 World Cup. The 2013 AFCON winners, who have only seven points in six games, are currently fourth in Group C.  ,
Benin Republic and Rwanda each have eight points, while South Africa is in the lead with ten.  ,
However, South Africa runs the risk of losing three points in a game involving Lesotho against a player who is not eligible to play in the World Cup.  ,
Victor Boniface, the Super Eagles forward, is unmoved by his unsuccessful move to AC Milan, the Italian giants.
In the summer transfer window, Rossoneri and the Nigerian were anticipated to team up. Due to the Super Eagle’s medical problems, which have fueled rumors about his fitness, the move failed.
The 24-year-old has however downplayed the mistake during his unveiling at Werder Bremen, where he signed on loan from Bayer Leverkusen.
I don’t care if the media tells you “whatever you want to believe, you can believe anything,” according to the statement. I’ll be in the hospital if my body isn’t perfect. During his unveiling, he declared, “I will not be here talking to you.”
They chose not to pursue it, not my fault. The striker said, “I have a strong mindset: it happens, it’s okay, I’ll move on.”
Boni, you’ll always be a double winner thanks to everything you’ve done. On a one-year loan, @boniface_jrn has accepted a position with Werder Bremen. pic. twitter.com/qrFRy3M301
READ MORE: [2026WCQ] Full House As Super Eagles Ramp Up Preparations For Rwanda Match
Leverkusen and the Nigerian collaborated on Union Saint-Gilloise. In 2024, Xabi Alonso’s men won a historic domestic double that year, and he went on to win the league unbeaten.
Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning women’s champion, fought off a spirited Novak Djokovic to reach the semi-finals of the US Open on Tuesday, earning her victory over Carlos Alcaraz.
With a 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 quarter-final victory over Taylor Fritz on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court, Djokovic snuffed out his chances to win the first American Grand Slam singles title since 2003.
The victory placed the 38-year-old Serbian in a mouthwatering semi-final with Spanish second seed Alcaraz on Friday, chasing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam victory.
On day ten of the US Open tennis competition, which takes place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic gestures after winning the men’s singles quarterfinal match against Taylor Fritz. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP)
Fourth seed Fritz double-faulted on match point in the tenth game of the final set to earn Djokovic the victory and couldn’t hide his relief at winning in the end.
A few points on either side in this kind of match will determine the winner, he said. It was “a very close match,” the player said. It was really anyone’s match.
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In a three-hour, 24-minute battle that spanned the length of his career, Fritz was left ruining his inability to make the most of the opportunities that came his way. He only scored two of 13 points.
Instead of allowing Djokovic to wiggle off the hook and take a one-set lead, the American fourth seed wasted five break points in the opening set that would have made it 5-4.
On day ten of the US Open tennis competition, which takes place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, on September 2, 2025, Novak Djokovic from Serbia shakes hands with American Taylor Fritz. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP)
Then, after coming back to break Djokovic to tie the game at 5-5, Fritz was immediately broken, giving up the lead.
The veteran Serb regrouped to win the next set while Fritz hit back in the third set as Djokovic duly held for a two-set lead.
Djokovic said, “I thought I was really lucky to save some important break points in the second set.” He was, in my opinion, the better player for the majority of the second and third sets.
Alcaraz, a 22-year-old Spaniard who is currently in blistering form, will face Djokovic in the final four matches.
The Czech 20th seed Jiri Lehecka was defeated 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 in just one hour, 56 minutes, according to the five-time Grand Slam champion.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia speaks after winning the men’s singles quarterfinal match against Taylor Fritz of the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City on September 2, 2025. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP)
Alcaraz is back in complete control of the semi-finals against Lehecka, but this time it was Alcaraz who had never let down a set.
Alcaraz, who has won 35 of his last 36 matches since the start of the Italian Open in May, described it as “a really, or almost perfect match.”
“Just two more steps to go, I guess, and let’s see what happens. But I’m still hungry and feeling great right now.
Sabalenka walkover  
After Czech quarter-finalist Marketa Vondrousova’s knee injury forced her to withdraw from the women’s draw on Tuesday, world number one and defending champion Sabalenka advanced to the semi-finals.
Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion, was offered sympathy by Sabalenka in bid to become the first woman to successfully defend the US Open since Serena Williams won a hat-trick of titles in 2014.
After everything she’s been through, I’m so sorry for Marketa. She has played incredible tennis, and I know how hurtful this must have been for her, according to Sabalenka, who has now advanced to the US Open semifinals or better five times in a row.
The walkover sets up a repeat of the US Open final from the previous year on Thursday when Sabalenka takes on fourth-seeded American Jessica Pegula.
Barbora Krejcikova, a unseeded Czech, defeated Pegula 6-3, 6-3 in the semi-finals earlier on Tuesday.
Pegula’s breakout form led to her entering the US Open, which saw her exit WTA competitions in Washington, Montreal, and Cincinnati early on.
But she has since rediscovered her self-assurance as she makes covert rounds in New York against a number of unseeded foes.
After winning in a 1hr 26min match, Pegula declared, “I think I’ve been playing some really good tennis.”
Pegula expressed her gratitude for the chance to redress Sabalenka’s defeat in the previous year.
