Sinner Drops a Set, But Advances in US Open: “I’m Not a Machine”

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Jannik Sinner Advances in the US Open Despite a Complicated Start

The number one in men’s tennis, Jannik Sinner, experienced an unusual start at the US Open, losing his first set and facing difficulties in the third set against Denis Shapovalov.

“I’m not a machine, you know. Sometimes I struggle too.”

Jannik Sinner
Despite these setbacks, Sinner demonstrated his class by defeating Shapovalov with scores of 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, securing his place in the fourth round. Sinner acknowledged the pressure and tension inherent in his position, but highlighted the importance of knowing how to manage them. In the next phase, Sinner will face Alexander Bublik, seeking a place in the quarterfinals. Bublik overcame Tommy Paul in an exciting match that extended to five sets. This triumph marks Sinner’s tenth consecutive appearance in the round of 16 of a Grand Slam tournament, extending his unbeaten streak on hard courts to 24 matches. This achievement includes his victories at the 2024 US Open, the 2024 and 2025 Australian Open, and the Wimbledon grass court championship in July. The match against Shapovalov saw the end of Sinner’s streak of consecutive sets won in New York, where he had won 14 in a row since losing one in the quarterfinals of the previous year. Sinner explained that his serve didn’t work as he expected on Saturday, and that Shapovalov read it well. Shapovalov commented that he was able to put pressure on Sinner. The first set was defined with a 30-stroke point, and Sinner, after recovering, found himself down 3-0 in the third set. Sinner reacted impressively, winning nine games in a row to take control of the match. Shapovalov, a semi-finalist at Wimbledon in 2021, acknowledged Sinner’s strength and his ability to handle the situation.
Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner, number 1, lost a set at the US Open for the first time since the quarterfinals of last year, but managed to defeat Denis Shapovalov (27) with a score of 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 on Saturday, securing his place in the fourth round.With Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz in the bottom half of the draw, Sinner has the opportunity to become the first player to defend his title at Flushing Meadows since Roger Federer (2004-2008). In other results on Saturday, Leandro Riedi of Switzerland became the lowest-ranked player to reach the round of 16 of a Grand Slam tournament since Richard Krajicek at Wimbledon in 2002. Other players who advanced include Felix Auger-Aliassime, Jaume Munar, and Lorenzo Musetti, whose rival, Flavio Cobolli, retired due to an injury. Additionally, Alex De Minaur advanced due to Daniel Altmaier’s retirement, securing his fifth appearance in the fourth round of the US Open. Andrey Rublev also managed to advance after a five-set match against Coleman Wong.
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