Former champ Osaka gets first top-10 win in over four years
NEW YORK, August 28
Top seed Jannik Sinner 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 also advanced after a minor blip. Women’s top seed Iga Swiatek overcame Kamilla Rakhimova 6-4 7-6(6) to reach the second round before two-time champion Naomi Osaka stunned 10th seed Jelena Ostapenko 6-3 6-2 on her return to New York after a maternity break.
The spotlight 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 was pleased to have the backing of fans on 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 inside three hours.
Longest match
Briton Dan Evans needed a much bigger effort to advance as he beat Russian 23rd seed Karen Khachanov 6-7(6) 7-6(2) 7-6(4) 4-6 6-4 in the longest US Open match of the professional era — an exhausting five hours and 35 minutes. “Obviously I won’t practise tomorrow. Just try and recover as best as possible. I was hurting all over really,” Evans said.
Former champion Emma Raducanu was unable to avoid the exit door as the Briton fell 6-1 3-6 6-4 to Sofia Kenin, while fourth seed Elena Rybakina overcame a late fightback to beat Destanee Aiava 6-1 7-6(1). French Open and Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini was made to work hard by 2019 New York champion Bianca Andreescu but went through 6-7(5) 6-2 6-4. Playing in her final Grand Slam before retiring at the end of the season, Danielle Collins was beaten 1-6 7-5 6-4 by fellow American Caroline Dolehide.
Fifth Daniil Medvedev fought off a spirited challenge from Dusan Lajovic to win 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-1, but 11th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas
was not so lucky, losing 7-6(5) 4-6 6-3 7-5 to Thanasi Kokkkinakis.
