“Are you dating the Italian tennis superstar Jannik Sinner?” Jimmy Kimmel asked Brooks Nader on his show, as he produced a picture of her attending the ongoing US Open with late-night talk show host Stephen Colbert and his wife Evie McGee-Colbert. “You’re warm, but we weren’t at that match,” the Sports Illustrated swimsuit model was quick to shut things down. Well, Kimmel had the wrong US Open picture, and most definitely the wrong model.

The early rumors of Sinner and Danish supermodel Laila Hasanovic‘s relationship popped up online back when she attended his French Open final match. Hasanovic was even spotted attending the Italian’s matches at Wimbledon and taking his pictures from the stands. And now, she is currently present in the stands for Sinner’s US Open semifinal match against Felix Auger-Aliassime. Still not convinced? May I interest you in an ice cream?

Roberto and Nicoletta Stampfl, owners of the Santo Gelato ice cream shop in Monte Carlo, told Weekly Dipi, that Sinner and Hasanovic are, in fact, dating and happen to visit their shop. “Sinner and Laila Hasanovic live in the La Condamine neighborhood of Monte Carlo. Our shop is right under their building,” Nicoletta said, as she gave her stamp of approval to the couple, declaring that the supermodel is as “kind” as the US Open defending champion. But even this is not the end of the evidence that has surfaced during this year’s US Open.

Earlier, TikTok’s detective noticed that Sinner’s phone had a rather interesting screensaver—a Polaroid photo of the supermodel smiling and playfully messing up her own hair. For the uninitiated, Hasanovic was previously linked to Mick Schumacher (F1 legend Michael Schumacher’s son). On the other hand, the four-time slam winner was previously dating Russian WTA star Anna Kalinskaya. However, Sinner confirmed during an Italian Open press conference that he wasn’t romantically involved with anyone. “I was very surprised to see some pictures, which, you know, nothing serious…I’m not in a relationship. So, whoever is asking, that’s it. It’s all good,” he had said.

Well, it’s great that his relationship status appears to have changed now. After all, he could use some lady luck.

Jannik Sinner has a lot to lose

If you thought Jannik Sinner would have it easy in the semis against the Canadian ATP pro, think again. While the Italian breezed past the first set easily, Aliassime shocked him by leveling the fight in the second. Fortunately, Sinner managed to come back and won the third set. Currently, he’s 2-1 ahead in the five-set encounter.

What lies at stake for Sinner is not only a successful title defence but also his position as world No. 1. simply because Carlos Alcaraz is on the brink of reclaiming the top spot once again. After besting Djokovic in the first semifinal, the Spaniard has entered his third slam final of the season (seventh of his career). He’s waiting for the winner between Sinner and Aliassime.

If Sinner wants to stay as the No.1, the equation is pretty simple for him. He needs to win the ongoing fight against the Canadian, enter the final, and then beat Alcaraz. In case he loses the semifinal or even the final against his arch-rival on Saturday, he will lose the throne. To stay updated on the race to world No. 1, head to EssentiallySports’ live blog of the US Open.