Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz Survive Early Scares in US Open First Round

World number one Jannik Sinner and four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz both faced unexpected challenges in their US Open first-round matches, but ultimately secured their spots in the next round after overcoming early setbacks.

Italy's Sinner, who entered the tournament under the spotlight following recent revelations that he had been cleared of any wrongdoing after twice testing positive for a banned substance earlier this year, faced a stern test against American Mackenzie McDonald. The match did not start as the top-seeded Sinner had hoped, as he dropped the first set 2-6. However, the Italian quickly found his rhythm, storming back to win 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2, showcasing the resilience that has made him the world’s best.

Sinner’s ability to refocus after the opening set demonstrated his mental fortitude, especially under the added pressure of recent scrutiny. He controlled the match from the second set onwards, using his powerful groundstrokes and precise serves to dominate McDonald, much to the delight of his fans on the second day of play at Flushing Meadows.

Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion, also found himself in a tough battle against Australian qualifier Li Tu. After taking the first set 6-2 with relative ease, the young Spaniard stumbled in the second, dropping it 4-6 as errors crept into his game. Alcaraz, however, recovered his composure in the third set, regaining control to eventually win 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.

The match was a reminder that even the sport’s brightest stars can face difficulties in the early rounds, especially against motivated underdogs. Alcaraz’s ability to rebound after losing the second set highlighted his growing maturity and adaptability on the court.

The potential for a Sinner-Alcaraz showdown in the semi-finals is already generating buzz, as their budding rivalry is seen as one that could define the next era of men’s tennis. Both players, still in their early 20s, have consistently demonstrated their immense talent and competitive spirit, and a deep run at this year’s US Open could set the stage for more thrilling encounters between the two.

In other action, Stefanos Tsitsipas, the 11th seed, suffered another early exit at the US Open, extending his streak of first-round losses at the tournament to seven years. The Greek star was ousted by Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis in a surprise defeat that adds to his struggles in New York.

Meanwhile, Daniil Medvedev, last year’s runner-up and the 2021 US Open champion, navigated a tricky second set to secure his 30th match win at Flushing Meadows, defeating Dusan Lajovic. Medvedev’s experience and consistency make him a perennial contender, and his form will be closely watched as the tournament progresses.

As the US Open continues, the performances of Sinner and Alcaraz will be under the spotlight, with fans eagerly anticipating what could be an epic clash between the sport’s future superstars.