By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Tuesday, August 27, 2024
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, after being exonerated for potential doping, earned his first ever win on Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open. Photo Credit: Sarah Stier/Getty
For fans watching World No. 1 Jannik Sinner on Arthur Ashe Stadium, they might have felt some deja vu. That’s because Sinner had never won a match on the main stadium at the US Open.
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And when Sinner dropped the opening set to American Mackenzie McDonald, that deja vu feeling may have been justified. But the 23-year-old Italian turned things around to ultimately win 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 to reach the second round.
“I started not in the best way, for sure, but the first match in every tournament is not easy," said Sinner afterwards. "You have to accept it. He played really, really well at the beginning and I tried to stay there mentally, tried to get into a rhythm. I did that at some point in the second set and then just tried to keep going, so I’m very happy to be in the next round. It’s the first time that I won here on this court after some attempts, so I’m very happy about this.”
Despite the first set, it was overall a solid performance from Sinner who entered the tournament having been cleared of any potential doping.
Prior to New York, Sinner revealed the news that he did not have to face a doping ban after being cleared twice for testing positive for the banned drug clostebol back in March.
After facing an onslaught of questioning from media, and some fellow players on social media, it was understandable that Sinner might be feeling the after effects of all of that, at least mentally.
In the first set, however, it was more about the excellent play of his opponent.
The 29-year-old McDonald, who lost a few years ago in 2021 to Sinner in the ATP Washington DC final, came out strong.
Sinner, for his part, looked a bit flat all around. With help from 14 unforced errors from Sinner, the American managed to seize the first set 6-2 and then went up an early break in the second set.
However, the pivotal game proved for the match proved to be the next one. With McDonald serving to consolidate his break, he found himself in an extended back and forth tussle with the reigning Australian Open champion.
Sinner managed to get the break back for 1-all, and from there, began slowly showing the form that took him to World No. 1.
Sinner quickly took the second set 6-2 and then the third 6-1. For his part, McDonald, a former top 40 player, appeared to run of gas down the stretch.
Sinner converted seven of 13 break points in the last three sets and then wrapped up the win in just under two hours and 30 minutes.
“It means a lot to me,” Sinner said on earning his first ever career win on Ashe Stadium. “The support is always amazing, so thank everyone for coming, for staying.” Sinner will next face another American, recent Winston-Salem finalist, Alex Michelsen in the next round.
“We go day by day. Tomorrow I have a day off and we will try to get a little bit more rhythm and try to improve for the next match. For sure, I have room to improve, so I’m looking forward to the next one and let’s see what I can do.”
Photo Credit: Sarah Stier/Getty