Jannik Sinner, number 1 in men’s tennis, wins his first round at the US Open against American Mackenzie McDonald, ranked 140, winning three sets to one with scores of 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 in two hours and 24 minutes of play. The match took place at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The Italian started poorly, and in the first set, he seemed to be in crisis, unable to get into the game, losing by a margin of four games.
However, everything changed from the second set onward; Jannik recovered while the American player visibly struggled. In the third set, Sinner immediately took control of the situation, going up 1-0; the American equalized, but then the world number one didn’t drop a single game.
In the fourth set, the 23-year-old from South Tyrol dominated the first four games, the final was more contested, but Jannik still managed to win the set and the match. In the second round, Sinner will face another American, the 20-year-old Alex Michelsen, ranked 49th in the world, who defeated his compatriot Spizzirri in three sets in the first round.
Sinner: “The first match is never easy”
“I didn’t start off in the best way, but the first match in tournaments is never easy,” Sinner commented immediately after the victory. “I tried to stay mentally in the match and regain my rhythm, and I’m happy to have finally managed to win a match on the central court after several attempts.” The Italian player added: “I take it day by day, tomorrow (Wednesday, ed.) I will rest, and I’ll try to improve in the next match; let’s see what I can do. The support here is always incredible; thank you for coming and for staying,” he concluded, addressing the audience.
Arnaldi beats Svajda, Fognini eliminated by Machac
Matteo Arnaldi also qualifies for the second round, ranked 30th in the ATP rankings, who beat American Zachary Svajda, ranked 102nd in the world, in less than two hours with scores of 6-3, 6-2, 6-1. Now he will face Russian Roman Safiullin. Fabio Fognini, ranked 71st in men’s tennis, was eliminated by Czech Tomas Machac, ranked 39th, who defeated him in three sets with scores of 7-5, 6-1, 6-3.
Back on the court after a week of controversies
The Italian returned to play a week after the storm he was caught up in due to a positive test for Clostebol. On August 20, the champion’s press office announced that Jannik had tested positive for two anti-doping tests last March. The Itia investigation led to exoneration for involuntary use. The infinitesimal amount of the steroid was reportedly transmitted to him by his physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi through a cream he used to treat his left pinky finger. The affair led to the dismissal of Naldi himself and Umberto Ferrara, the athletic trainer who allegedly provided the cream to the physiotherapist.
“I did not receive different treatment than others”
In an interview with the American broadcaster ESPN, Sinner claimed: “I did not receive different treatment than others; the process was very long and it was not a simple time. I was able to continue playing because we knew exactly where the incriminating substance came from and how it entered my body.”
Against McDonald, before tonight’s match, the South Tyrolean champion had won all three previous encounters, always in three sets. At the US Open, however, they play best of five sets. The day before the match, Jannik told ESPN that he felt lighter after five months of doubts and uncertainties during which he often fell ill and couldn’t sleep at night.
“I hope to turn the page”
The number 1 in the ATP rankings added: “I hope to turn the page; it will still take some time, and I hope to be happy again. In every tournament I’ve played, I had and still have low expectations, even for this US Open. Physically, due to what has happened, the illnesses, and other things, I am not where I want to be and I still don’t feel like myself.”
Even before the Cincinnati tournament, Sinner had mentioned that he was not at his best but ultimately won. But until midnight on September 6, WADA, the international anti-doping agency, and NADO Italy, its national counterpart, can still appeal against the exoneration.
Rumors of a breakup with Kalinskaya
On the very day of Sinner’s US Open debut, his girlfriend, Anna Kalinskaya, also played, winning 6-2, 6-2 against American Lauren Davis. Regarding whether the Russian tennis player is still with the Italian, some have raised doubts, particularly since she no longer followed him on Instagram, while he has always been her follower. The two had gone together for a vacation in Costa Smeralda, but after Wimbledon, they have not been seen together again. However, in the evening, Kalinskaya returned to follow Sinner on Instagram.