In contrast to the failed co-favorites Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner showed no weakness at the US Open. The world number one tennis player won the third round of the Grand Slam tournament in New York with a confident 6:1, 6:4, 6:2 against the Australian Christopher O’Connell and reached the round of 16.
“It was a great match today. My serve was really good, I’m very happy,” said Sinner. After just 1 hour 53 minutes, the Italian converted his first match point and did not allow his opponent, who had no chance, a single break point in the entire match.
Sinner top favorite for the title
After the elimination of Alcaraz and Djokovic, Australian Open champion Sinner is the top favorite to win his first title in New York and could face Hamburg’s Alexander Zverev in a possible final. “Anything can happen in this sport. I try to stay on my side of the net,” said Sinner about the failure of the two opponents.
Djokovic had surprisingly missed out on reaching the round of 16 against the Australian Alexei Popyrin, while Alcaraz suffered a sensational defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round. The Dutchman could not repeat this performance and lost to the Briton Jack Draper 3:6, 4:6, 2:6.
For Sinner, it was his third sporting appearance since the doping scandal surrounding him became known. After two positive tests for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol in March, the 23-year-old was acquitted by an independent court shortly before the US Open, according to the responsible tennis agency Itia. The South Tyrolean’s explanation that the banned substance accidentally entered his body during a massage was considered conclusive.
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