Sinner, Swiatek ease into US Open second round but Raducanu crashes out
Al Jazeera
Second day of US Open sees former champs Alcaraz and Osaka go through as Evans wins longest-ever match against Khachanov in five hours and 35 minutes.
Top seed Jannik Sinner has left the doping controversy that marred his US Open preparations in the rear-view mirror with a largely drama-free start to his campaign, while fellow title contender Carlos Alcaraz has also advanced to the second round after a minor blip.
The spotlight on Tuesday was firmly on Sinner in the day session as the Italian overcame a slow start to seal a 2-6 6-2 6-1 6-2 win over American Mackenzie McDonald a week after he was cleared of any wrongdoing over two failed tests in March for a banned drug.
Sinner, who has maintained his innocence, has been under intense scrutiny after escaping a doping ban, but the 23-year-old enjoyed fans’ backing at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“The response from fans, I feel it has been great, also throughout when the news came out, in the practice sessions, there was a lot of support, which I’m very glad and happy about,” Sinner said.
Alcaraz, another Flushing Meadows crowd favourite, gifted Australian qualifier Li Tu a set but the 2022 champion steadied the ship before closing out a 6-2 4-6 6-3 6-1 victory.
