Jannik Sinner wasted no time booking his place in the third round of the US Open, earning a straight-sets victory over Alexei Popyrin.
The world number one was untroubled by the former ATP Masters 1000 champion, finishing the match in just over two hours, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
After Sinner’s withdrawal from the Cincinnati Open final due to illness, he has bounced back in dominant fashion, kicking off his title defence in New York with two comfortable wins.
His next opponent comes in the form of Denis Shapovalov, who, by the Wimbledon champion’s assessment of the US Open conditions, may prove to be a tricky test.
Jannik Sinner’s assessment of the conditions at the US Open
In his post-match press conference, Sinner said of the playing conditions at Flushing Meadows: “It is always very difficult to compare this year with last year because you don’t remember exactly how it felt playing.
“But I have played two day matches in two different conditions, definitely, because the first one we started off in the sun and the conditions were a bit faster and then after they moved into a late afternoon match, I felt like, on Center Court because the sun is not there any more.
“Today it felt more like an evening match, for example, because it was very cloudy and getting a bit cold and chilly.
“So it depends, but that’s exactly what makes this sport very interesting. That is what the good part is when you play on Center Court that there is not so much wind.
“Outside there is a lot of wind and it changes a lot. Inside it’s more or less always one way.
“There is a big difference between on Center Court and Armstrong because on Armstrong there is an open part in the middle and it comes in and changes. But this is obviously for both players.
“The conditions are that a big server is very difficult to beat, it is very fast, but that’s it.”
World number three Alexander Zverev disagreed with him, however, claiming: “It’s incredibly slow this year. Not something I enjoy usually, but I’ll try to make the best out of it.”
The threat Denis Shapovalov could post against Jannik Sinner at the US Open
Though Shapovalov’s ranking has taken a slight hit in recent years, he remains a difficult opponent to come face to face with on the tour, especially on fast surfaces.
The Canadian has a big serve in his locker, ranking 36th in average aces per match, tallying a total of 7.3, as per ATP Tour.
Sinner and Shapovalov have met just once before, having clashed in the first round of the Australian Open in 2021.
The Italian suffered defeat that day, losing narrowly in a thrilling five-setter in Melbourne.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
