- Jannik Sinner wins US Open opener post-drug scandal
- Carlos Alcaraz advances despite dropping a set
- Emma Raducanu, Stefanos Tsitsipas exit early
Top seed Jannik Sinner has put the drug scandal that clouded his US Open preparations in the rearview mirror with a relatively drama-free start to his campaign. At the same time, fellow title candidate Carlos Alcaraz has also moved to the second round with a little hiccup.
The spotlight was entirely on Sinner in the day session on Tuesday, as the Italian overcame a poor start to defeat American Mackenzie McDonald 2-6 6-2 6-1 6-2 a week after being acquitted of any wrongdoing in connection with two failed drug tests in March.
Sinner, who has maintained his innocence, has come under great scrutiny since escaping a doping ban, but the 23-year-old received strong support from fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“The response from fans has been great since the news came out. There was a lot of support in the practice sessions, which I’m thrilled and happy about,” Sinner said.
Alcaraz, another Flushing Meadows audience favorite, gave up a set to Australian qualifier Li Tu, but the 2022 champion held on to win 6-2 4-6 6-3 6-1.
The four-time Grand Slam champion got off to a strong start before making a series of blunders and losing the second set. The Spaniard regained control by whipping a forehand to break in the third for a 4-3 lead and never looked back, clinching the victory with his seventh ace to set up a second-round match against Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp.
Tu, an Adelaide native who took a six-year hiatus from tennis in 2014 to pursue a degree and open a tennis academy, won three qualifying matches to debut on Arthur Ashe Stadium court against the third seed.
“He surprised me slightly,” Alcaraz stated during an on-court interview.
“Now I’m going to follow him and his results because I’m pretty sure I’m going to see him around very soon.”
The 21-year-old, who won the US Open in 2022, showed no symptoms of being hampered by a right ankle injury sustained during a practice session and finished the match in under three hours.
Briton Dan Evans needed a significantly more significant effort to advance, defeating Russian 23rd seed Karen Khachanov 6-7(6) 7-6(2) 7-6(4) 4-6 6-4 in the longest US Open match in the professional era, lasting five hours and 35 minutes.
“I won’t practice tomorrow. Just rest and attempt to recover as best you can. “I was hurting all over,” Evans explained.
“I don’t think I’ve played five hours, that long, in a day ever in two sessions, never mind in one.”
Evans’ compatriot and previous champion Emma Raducanu, on the other hand, was unable to avoid elimination, losing 6-1 3-6 6-4 to Sofia Kenin. Fourth seed Elena Rybakina defeated Destanee Aiava 6-1 7-6(1) after a late fightback.
Emma Raducanu, visibly distressed, admitted that she should have played more matches before the competition.
“When I have a lot of matches, like every other player, I feel great, as if everything is automatic. So, indeed I can learn from that.
< p>Raducanu has not won a match in Flushing Meadows since winning her only major title in 2022, falling in the first round and missing the tournament the following year due to injury.
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Women’s top seed Iga Swiatek defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 6-4 7-6(6) to advance, while two-time winner Naomi Osaka upset 10th seed Jelena Ostapenko 6-3 6-2 on her comeback to New York following a maternity sabbatical.
Meanwhile, French Open and Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini was pushed hard by 2019 New York winner Bianca Andreescu, but she prevailed 6-7(5) 6-2 6-4.
In her final Grand Slam before retiring at the end of the season, Danielle Collins was defeated 1-6 7-5 6-4 by fellow American Caroline Dolehide.
“Everybody has been so encouraging, and it’s a compliment that people want to see me play more,” Collins told ESPN.
“But, simultaneously, I’m ready for the next chapter. “The journey has been wonderful.”
Fifth seed Daniil Medvedev defeated Dusan Lajovic 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-1, but 11th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas was not so fortunate, falling 7-6(5) 4-6 6-3 7-5 to Thanasi Kokkinakis.
