Jannik Sinner admits what he really ‘struggled’ with during his first round US Open match

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Jannik Sinner has made it safely into the second round of the US Open despite a scare in the first round.

Rennae Stubbs has backed Sinner to win the US Open, and subsequently clinch the second Grand Slam title of his career.

Sinner is the US Open top seed, but needed all of his energy and experience to make it past Mackenzie McDonald.

Playing at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the Italian emerged victorious against the American, winning 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2.

Sinner now takes on another American in Alex Michelsen in round two, with the latter having beaten compatriot Eliot Spizzirri in straight sets.

Jannik Sinner admits struggles in US Open first round

The world number one would have been feeling nervous after losing the first set, with his confidence perhaps already shaken given his recent drugs ban controversy.

Sinner has now shared his verdict on the match, saying in his first round press conference: “I felt like he was playing some great tennis, not missing any shots and I struggled a little bit with how to play.

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“We prepared to play in one way which he read my game pretty well. It’s normal, the first round is never easy, especially in Grand Slams.

“I was a set and break down so when I broke back in the second set that gave me a bit of confidence and after I started to raise my level and he dropped a little bit.”

Can Jannik Sinner go all the way at the US Open?

Sinner may just feel like much of the tennis world is against him at this moment in time, but all he can do is focus on his own game.

The Italian kicked off his year in superb fashion, winning his one and only Grand Slam title to date at the Australian Open.

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But he has regressed in the major tournaments since then, losing in the semi-finals of the French Open and quarter-finals of Wimbledon.

A quarter-final run is his best effort at the US Open, which took place back in 2022, with Sinner having come on leaps and bounds since then.

But he can be sure of his opponents upping their game when they face Sinner on the court after his escaped drugs ban.