Jannik Sinner is among the red-hot favorites to clinch the US Open title this year after storming through the field in Cincinnati.
If the world number one is victorious at Flushing Meadows, he would become the fifth male player to achieve the Cincinnati-US Open double in the same year since 2003.
However, ahead of the final major of the year, Sinner has been embroiled in controversy over a doping case.
It has been ongoing behind the scenes since March, but the Italian has taken it in his stride to remain at the top of the ATP rankings heading into New York.
How did the US Open crowd greet Jannik Sinner?
Jannik Sinner is heading into the US Open as the number-one seed and will be eager to add to the Australian Open title he clinched in January.
However, he has been making headlines all week and there was uncertainty over how the crowd would react when he finally made a public appearance.
But, Sinner was met with applause as he took to the court for Thursday’s practice session with Grigor Dimitrov on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Can Sinner win the US Open?
Sinner gets his campaign underway against American Mackenzie McDonald in the first round on Tuesday.
The Italian finds himself on the other side of the draw as reigning champion Novak Djokovic, so will not have to meet the Serb until the championship match.
However, Sinner will relish a projected quarter-final clash with Daniil Medvedev, against whom he overturned a two-set deficit in the final in Melbourne to win his maiden major tournament.
The Italian will fancy his chances of going deep and, if last year is anything to go by, will be oozing with confidence after clinching the Cincinnati Open title.
- READ MORE: The full US Open draw
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