Jannik Sinner was in a rut for the second time in a short period of time. The Italian dug himself out in double fast time, not for the first time.
Since it was revealed last Tuesday that the world No. 1 had avoided a drug ban despite failing two tests for a prohibited anabolic steroid, the past week has been chaotic for both him and his sport.
He’s broken up with two teammates. He’s been the target of uncomfortable inquiries and claims of preferential treatment; why was his case kept confidential? And how could it have been fixed so fast? Several of Sinner’s contemporaries believe that there should be one rule for journeymen and another for the greatest player in the world.
For the duration of an hour, MacKenzie McDonald was not accused of giving the Italian a free pass. Sinner’s comeback to the court motivated the American world No.. 140 throughout the course of one set and one game. He repeatedly smashed the world No. 1’s serve record, and for a brief while, it appeared as though he might also lose his resolve.
Sinner, though, had the answers. Just as he did in March, when clostebol was detected in his anti-doping samples. The 23-year-old was free to pursue a second Grand Slam of 2024 on Arthur Ashe a few months after those positive tests. And in an hour and a half on Tuesday, he went from staring down the barrel to the second round. The score was 2-6 6-2 6-1 6-2.
Sinner’s preparations for this fortnight took a wild turn, as he has never advanced past the quarterfinals at this venue.
This summer, clouds of doubt hovered over him for the most part. He had been worried that information about his failed exams would become public knowledge.
His concern was if the International Tennis Integrity Agency would accept his claim that a contaminated massage, a cut finger, and a spray caused the negative outcomes.
Last week, he acknowledged that he wasn’t sure how his entire ordeal would affect his standing as the greatest tennis player in the world.
Indeed, it tarnished the anticipation for this competition. It also caused wounds to several of his peers. However, it appears that tennis fans are a little more understanding. Perhaps his claims of innocence convinced them.
Alternatively, Sinner might have been lucky with the timetable. If this had been a night game and Queens bartenders had pushed a few more honeydeuce cocktails, maybe the fans would have been a little more hostile. We’ll never be aware of it.
In the end, Sinner defeated the world no. 140 on Arthur Ashe Stadium, 2-6 6-2 6-1 6-2.
By Tuesday afternoon, as Sinner wandered out of the locker rooms, Arthur Ashe was almost deserted. If there were any booing fans inside the stadium, as social media clips appeared to indicate, they were hardly audible—or at least hard to miss amid all the cheering and hollering.
Sinner acknowledged, “I was interested to see how the fans would respond.” The way the support was provided—against an American, no less—made me extremely happy. It is somewhat distinct.I’m satisfied with my handling of that circumstance.
It was unfortunate for the top dog in the world that McDonald didn’t express any empathy towards him. The Americans put Sinner on the defensive right away, forcing five break points in the first game before finally breaking through. And he didn’t stop there.
McDonald had five service games to break in before Sinner had the opportunity to break. Sinner was inconsistent, committing unintentional foul after unintentional foul, but McDonald’s amazing touch and agility around the net were also drawing the Italian across the floor.
Sinner could only cheer after one sliding passing shot. In 45 minutes, McDonald sealed the opening set after breaking three times. After that, the American immediately twisted the knife, ending Sinner’s opening service game in set two.
The world number one Italian was welcomed with open arms despite his recent anti-doping controversy.
Tuesday afternoon, Sinner confirms his spot in the second round and thanks the supporters.
This type of tennis matches frequently come down to a matter of a few points, and in the very following game, the first-round matchup was completely turned upside down over seven deuces.
Sinner prevented McDonald from adding to his lead by saving four game points. The world number one then wasted three of his own opportunities. McDonald gave him a fourth gift, but at a cost.
Sinner clicked through the gears there. After losing the first set 0-1, the Italian only lost 2 of the following 14 games, and he was already in the second round less than an hour later.
He started to discover the lines all of a sudden, and McDonald was fighting to stay in every point. Suddenly, Arthur Ashe was in a bad mood; moans and sighs could be heard as McDonald retreated more and farther from the situation.
Is that the only thing that surprised you? McDonald won two more games before losing when world No. 1 broke early in the fourth. Sinner hopes that the days that follow go more easily.
He went on, “I cannot control the players’ reaction, and because I’m this kind of person, if I have something to say to someone, I go there privately.” about the environment in the locker room. But all in all, it hasn’t been that horrible.
