Sinner Starts Strong at the US Open
The tennis player Jannik Sinner demonstrated a full recovery from his recent illness, starting his title defense at the US Open with a resounding victory over Vit Kopriva. Sinner won with scores of 6-1, 6-1 and 6-2, showing a solid and dominant game. Sinner, who was forced to withdraw from the Cincinnati final due to illness, and who also missed the US Open mixed doubles tournament, seemed completely recovered in his debut. The Italian, who had more time to recover thanks to the new tournament schedule, showed no signs of weakness against his Czech opponent, who was making his debut in the US Open main draw.“Obviously, I am very happy to be healthy again and to have done everything possible to arrive here in the best possible shape,” commented Sinner.
Jannik Sinner
Despite a bandage on his right ring finger, which appeared to be a blister, the injury did not affect his performance. Sinner did not concede any service games and won 83% of the points with his first serve, saving two break points.
The 24-year-old Italian tennis player won his second Grand Slam title last year at Flushing Meadows. This year, he has already added two more titles at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Now, he seeks to emulate legends like Rod Laver, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic, by reaching the final of all four Grand Slams in the same year. Sinner commented that each year is different and that he arrives at the tournament with the hope of starting in the best possible way, which he achieved. Before the Cincinnati final, Sinner had won 26 consecutive matches on hard courts and his winning streak in Grand Slam tournaments on that surface extended to 22 matches. The US Open hasn’t had a champion who has achieved two consecutive titles since Federer, between 2004 and 2008. Sinner reflected on this, mentioning the fatigue of some players at the end of the season and how unpredictable the future in tennis can be. Both Sinner and Alcaraz, who have dominated the last seven Grand Slam titles, could lead the ATP ranking after these 15 days of competition. In the next round, Sinner will face Alexei Popyrin, who defeated Emil Ruusuvuori. Popyrin eliminated the defending US Open champion last year, Djokovic, in the third round. Other notable results from the day include the victory of Lorenzo Musetti, who advanced after a four-set match against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Denis Shapovalov, Francisco Cerúndolo, Tommy Paul, Alexander Bublik, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Alex De Minaur also advanced. Alexander Zverev also achieved a victory, securing his place in the next round.
