In the midst of a captivating US Open, where seeds have been falling like dominoes, top seed Jannik Sinner has emerged as the unexpected frontrunner. The Italian calmly dispatched Australia’s Christopher O’Connell on Saturday, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2, booking his spot in the fourth round. This comes after witnessing fellow title contenders Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic bow out in successive nights on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Sinner, who is bidding for his second major title this week in Queens, showcased his best tennis of the tournament, displaying composure and dominance throughout the match. He needed just one hour and 51 minutes to dispatch the World No.87, O'Connell. Sinner clocked 46 winners and never faced a break point.
The 23-year-old Italian, who lost his first set of the tournament against American Mackenzie McDonald, has since captured his last nine sets. He is looking increasingly confident, his serve firing with remarkable accuracy.
The revelation that Sinner had failed two doping tests, narrowly avoiding suspension last week, has cast a shadow over his performance. However, he seems to have managed the controversy well thus far, gaining momentum with each passing day.
Sinner’s performance on Saturday was a display of unwavering focus and determination. His ability to bounce back from the doping allegations and perform at such a high level is a testament to his strength and resilience. He is now poised to take his place as the favorite to win a maiden US Open title in New York next week.
Meanwhile, the Australian O’Connell expressed his respect for Sinner’s powerful play. "I felt like he was on from the get-go. I felt a little bit clueless, to be honest. ... Every single shot, I just felt like I had to do something with it, because he was just on me. He was suffocating me,” O’Connell said.
The unexpected exits of Djokovic and Alcaraz have shifted the focus onto Sinner, who now stands as the man to beat. As Sinner prepares for the next round, he seems ready to seize the opportunity and make a strong run for the US Open title.
Sinner’s victory comes at a time when the men’s draw has seen several upsets. This is only the third time in the Open era (the others were in 1973 and 2000) that two of the top three-seeded men were gone before the fourth round. The unpredictability of the tournament is highlighted by the fact that Djokovic, the defending champion, and Alcaraz, the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion, were both knocked out early.
Sinner is now the favorite to win the US Open, a status that belonged to Alcaraz before the tournament began. He will face No. 14 Tommy Paul of the United States in the fourth round on Monday. Paul defeated Canadian qualifier Gabriel Diallo 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-1, 7-6 (3).
The focus now shifts to Sinner, who has shown a clear ability to handle pressure and perform under scrutiny. The US Open is wide open, and Sinner’s dominance on Saturday has cemented his place as a serious contender for the title. As the tournament progresses, it will be fascinating to see if Sinner can sustain his momentum and emerge as the champion.
