Sinner surges after slow start in New York opener

Jannik Sinner needed some time to settle into his latest US Open campaign on Tuesday afternoon in New York. Once the World No. 1 found his rhythm, however, he barely looked back en route to booking his second-round spot at the hard-court major.

Sinner overcame home favourite Mackenzie McDonald 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 inside Arthur Ashe Stadium to set a second-round clash with another American, Alex Michelsen. The Italian appeared in real trouble after a first set in which McDonald expertly redirected the ball from the baseline, but he proved too strong from then on and ultimately wrapped a two-hour, 23-minute triumph.

“I started not in the best way, for sure, but the first match in every tournament is not easy," said Sinner in his on-court interview. "You have to accept it. He played really, really well at the beginning and I tried to stay there mentally, tried to get into a rhythm. I did that at some point in the second set and then just tried to keep going, so I’m very happy to be in the next round. It’s the first time that I won here on this court after some attempts, so I’m very happy about this.”

Need for Speed ?️@janniksin recovers from a set down before stepping on the accelerator and booking his spot in the second round. @usopen | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/ZYccXgA7N4

Sinner dropped serve three times during a below-par first-set display, but he responded strongly by converting seven of 13 break points he earned across the second, third and fourth sets. The Italian is now 12-0 in opening rounds at tour-level events this year, and is 12-0 in Grand Slam first rounds dating back to Wimbledon 2021.

“We go day by day. Tomorrow I have a day off and we will try to get a little bit more rhythm and try to improve for the next match," said Sinner, who defeated his next opponent Michelsen just 13 days ago in Cincinnati, in what was the pair's maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head clash. "For sure, I have room to improve, so I’m looking forward to the next one and let’s see what I can do.”

Sinner, who won his maiden Grand Slam trophy at January’s Australian Open and arrived in New York after lifting his third ATP Masters 1000 crown in Cincinnati, is now 49-5 for the season. The current leader in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, the 22-year-old is bidding to lift a Tour-leading sixth singles title for the year this fortnight in New York.

In other action, #NextGenATP Frenchman Arthur Fils overcame 18-year-old American Learner Tien 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 to reach the second round. Fils, who could play Sinner in the fourth round, is first in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah. The 20-year-old will aim to reach the third round at the major for the first time when he next meets Jaume Munar or Gabriel Diallo.

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