Prime seed Jannik Sinner has put the doping controversy that marred his US Open preparations behind him with a largely drama-free begin to his marketing campaign, whereas fellow title contender Carlos Alcaraz has additionally superior to the second spherical after a minor setback.
On Tuesday, the main target was firmly on Sinner within the day’s session because the Italian overcame a sluggish begin to seal a 2-6 6-2 6-1 6-2 victory over American Mackenzie McDonald every week after he was cleared of any wrongdoing over two failed checks in March for a banned drug.
Sinner, who has maintained his innocence, has been below intense scrutiny after escaping a doping ban however the 23-year-old loved the backing of followers at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“The response from the followers, I believe it’s been nice, additionally throughout the entire means of the information popping out, within the follow periods, there was a variety of assist, which I’m more than happy and completely happy about,” Sinner mentioned.
Alcaraz, one other of the gang favourites at Flushing Meadows, dropped a set to Australian Li Tu however the 2022 champion steadied the ship earlier than closing out a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory.
The four-time Grand Slam champion began strongly earlier than errors started to pile up and he misplaced the second set. The Spaniard restored order with a forehand winner to interrupt serve within the third and go 4-3 up. He by no means regarded again and sealed victory together with his eighth ace to face Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp within the second spherical.
Tu, an Adelaide native who stepped away from tennis in 2014 for six years to pursue a level and begin a tennis academy, gained three qualifying matches to earn his first look on the Arthur Ashe Stadium courtroom in opposition to the third seed.
“Clearly I used to be slightly bit stunned,” Alcaraz mentioned in an on-court interview.
“Now I will comply with him and his outcomes as a result of I am fairly positive I will see him round right here very, very quickly.”
The 21-year-old, who gained the US Open in 2022, confirmed no indicators of his motion being restricted by a proper ankle damage he sustained throughout a follow session and completed the match in three hours.
Britain’s Dan Evans wanted a a lot larger effort to advance, beating twenty third seed Karen Khachanov of Russia 6-7(6) 7-6(2) 7-6(4) 4-6 6-4 within the longest US Open match of the skilled period – a gruelling 5 hours and 35 minutes.
“Clearly I gained’t be coaching tomorrow. I’ll simply get better and attempt to get better as finest as doable. I used to be actually sore throughout,” Evans mentioned.
“I don’t assume I’ve ever performed 5 hours, that lengthy, in at some point, by no means in two periods, not to mention in a single.”
Merely superb. picture.twitter.com/V7AsPv0NeJ
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 27, 2024
Nevertheless, Evans’ compatriot and former champion Emma Raducanu was unable to keep away from the exit door as she fell 6-1 3-6 6-4 to Sofia Kenin, whereas fourth seed Elena Rybakina overcame a late fightback to beat Destanee Aiava 6-1 7-6 (1).
An emotional Emma Raducanu mentioned she ought to have performed extra matches earlier than the event.
“When I’ve a variety of matches, like several participant, you’re feeling actually good, you’re feeling like all the pieces is computerized. So sure, I believe I can study from it.”
< p>Raducanu has not gained a match at Flushing Meadows since claiming her solely main title, falling within the first spherical in 2022 and lacking the event a 12 months later attributable to damage.
Prime seed Iga Swiatek outlasted Kamilla Rakhimova 6-4 7-6(6) to advance earlier than two-time champion Naomi Osaka surprised tenth seed Jelena Ostapenko 6-3 6-2 in her return to New York after a maternity break.
In the meantime, French Open and Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini needed to work exhausting in opposition to 2019 New York champion Bianca Andreescu however gained 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4.
Enjoying her final Grand Slam earlier than retiring on the finish of the season, Danielle Collins was defeated 1-6 7-5 6-4 by fellow American Caroline Dolehide.
“Everybody has been very encouraging and it’s a praise that individuals need to see me play extra,” Collins mentioned.
“However on the identical time, I am prepared for the following chapter. The journey has been nice.”
Fifth seed Daniil Medvedev held off a spirited problem from Dusan Lajovic to win 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-1 however eleventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas was not so fortunate and misplaced 7-6 (5) 4-6 6-3 7-5 to Thanasi Kokkinakis.
