Published on, Sept. 5 -- September 5, 2025 1:27 AM

Before knowing for sure that he would need to get past Jannik Sinner to reach a Grand Slam final for the first time, Felix Auger-Aliassime was asked to assess the U.S. Open's No. 1 seed and defending champion.

"What to say about Jannik's game?" said Auger-Aliassime, who is seeded 25th. "He's been obviously untouchable, at times."

That's a pretty apt description for a guy closing in on becoming the first man to win consecutive titles at Flushing Meadows since Roger Federer collected five in a row from 2004 through 2008.

In Friday's semifinals, Auger-Aliassime might be taking on the toughest task in tennis at the moment, particularly on hard courts: Sinner is on a 26-match Grand Slam un...