Jannik Sinner’s straight-sets win over Tommy Paul on Tuesday night at the US Open created a unique piece of history.
His victory set up a quarterfinal showdown with Daniil Medvedev, a rematch of their thrilling five-set final at Australian Open 2024.
And with Aryna Sabalenka and Zheng Qinwen ensuring a rematch of their AO 2024 women’s singles final a day earlier in New York, it marked an Open-era record.
For the first time, both AO singles final match-ups will be re-contested at the same Grand Slam tournament later in the same season.
Sabalenka and Zheng have not encountered one another since Sabalenka won their AO final in straight sets, defending her title at Melbourne Park.
Yet this will be the third time Sinner and Medvedev have clashed at the majors in 2024.
Medvedev won their Wimbledon quarterfinal in five sets to snap a five-match losing streak against the young Italian, who just a month earlier had become the sport’s new world No.1.
“I will try to think more about Wimbledon than Australian Open,” smiled Medvedev, through to his fifth US Open quarterfinal in the past six years after dominating Nuno Borges in the last 16.
“But against Jannik, we had some tough matches except [for a] couple. I mean, in Miami, for example. [which Medvedev lost 6-1 6-2 earlier in 2024].
“I feel like in a way we know our game, what we will try to bring on the table, and then it comes to always, you know, this moment's deuce, breakpoint, maybe try to surprise him or not, what he will do, what I will do.
“Hopefully we can have a great match. I know if I want to beat him, I need to be at my best, which I managed to do couple of times.
“It's going to be a great match.”
The head-to-head series is delicately poised, with Medvedev narrowly ahead 7-5 after 12 meetings.
Medvedev initially won six in a row – their first meeting came in 2020 – before Sinner wrested control of the rivalry, winning the next five. That included the AO 2024 final, which Sinner claimed from two-sets-to-love down to earn his first major singles title.
Then came the Wimbledon quarterfinal, where Medvedev exacted revenge.
Their US Open quarterfinal will be their third career meeting at a Slam, all of which have come this season.
“Tough match [against Medvedev]. It’s going to be a lot of rallies,” Sinner smiled on court after sealing a 7-6(3) 7-6(5) 6-1 win over Paul.
“Hopefully be ready physically. It’s going to be a physical match, also mental match. I won in Australia, he then won in Wimbledon, always five sets.
“Hopefully it’s going to be a good match. We try to do our best on court – hopefully you guys enjoy the next one.”
Just like Sabalenka, Sinner was the recent Cincinnati champion and is riding a nine-match winning streak.
His win over Paul improves his 2024 win-loss record to a glittering 52-5, and he is the only player to reach the quarterfinal stage at all four Grand Slam tournaments this season.
Medvedev’s numbers in 2024 don’t quite match Sinner’s stratospheric level, but if he was to pick a place he felt most confident about stopping the surging Italian, it would be New York.
Medvedev has won 33 of his 39 career main-draw matches at the US Open, making this his best Slam in terms of most matches won and highest winning rate (almost 85 per cent).
“To be honest, feels like always at US Open, happy to play here, bringing my best level,” said the world No.5, targeting a fifth semifinal at Flushing Meadows.
“Playing good, serving only better and better every match, returning better and better. It feels great.
“I know the further you go the tougher the opponents can get, the more the crowd is going to be involved, and the more fun it's going to be.”
After Sabalenka and Zheng reprise their AO 2024 final on Tuesday night in prime time, Medvedev and Sinner will lock horns on Wednesday.