Jannik Sinner, it’s now a great classic, every time it happens on time: impressive statistic, far from random.
Many on social media had been frightened at the thought that the Flushing Meadows audience might give Jannik Sinner a less than warm reception, in light of the news that has held sway in recent days. Doubts that fortunately vanished when, upon taking the court to practice before his debut, fans cheered him loudly, peeling off their hands to applaud the world No. 1.
The ugly affair that has seen him accused of doping is far from behind him, with Wada yet to determine and decide whether to challenge the ruling and appeal. He still cannot sleep soundly, the South Tyrolean champion, but what is certain is that he will do everything he can to channel every effort and energy into this Us Open. Which will not be at all easy, of course, at such a particular moment in the life and career of the 2024 Australian Open winner.
His path, at any rate, will begin with a challenge against Mackenzie McDonald, a tough opponent but within his reach. Jannik has always beaten him, however, it will not be a walk in the park. Filed, eventually, the file against the American, waiting for him could be either a qualifier, or the same opponent he ran into in the second round in Cincinnati, namely Alex Michelsen. Another potentially tough bone, if fit, but again the king of the rankings should have no particular problems.
Sinner, him again: the challenge that everyone likes, even fate
In prospect, Sinner could play a possible third round against one between Nicolas Jarry and Stan Wawrinka and then land in the round of 16, at which his rival could be one between Tommy Paul and Arthur Fils.
At this point in his journey he will have to give his best, because it is at the quarters that the “pains” will begin. First he might run into Daniil Medvedev, who made up for the Australian debacle by knocking him out at Wimbledon. The semifinal, on the other hand, could have the flavor of a grand final, considering that the odds are very high that Jannik will face off against his sworn enemy/friend, namely Carlos Alcaraz.
This is the fifth time (out of 9 head-to-heads on the major circuit), go figure, that the Italian and the Spaniard have met in the semifinals. It happened in Indian Wells, Miami and Beijing in 2023 and, the following year, again in Indian Wells and then at Roland Garros. The most exciting and heated challenge, them being the favorites along with Novak Djokovic, will be played right in the semifinals, then, filed which, if all goes well, Sinner will play for the New York scepter playing against one between Nole and Alexander Zverev.
