US Open: Sinner, Alcaraz survive scare as Swiatek, Osaka advance
Top seed Jannik Sinner left the doping controversy that marred his US Open preparations in the rear view mirror on Wednesday with a largely drama-free start to his campaign while fellow title contender Carlos Alcaraz also advanced after a minor blip.
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Women’s top seed Iga Swiatek overcame Kamilla Rakhimova 6-4, 7-6(6) to reach the second round before two-times champion Naomi Osaka stunned 10th seed Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 6-2 on her return to New York after a maternity break.
The spotlight was firmly on Sinner in the day session as the Italian overcame a slow start to seal a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 win over American Mackenzie McDonald a week after he was cleared of any wrongdoing over two failed tests in March for a banned drug.
Sinner, who has maintained his innocence, has been under intense scrutiny after escaping a doping ban but the 23-year-old was pleased to have the backing of fans on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Alcaraz, another Flushing Meadows crowd favourite, gifted Australian qualifier Li Tu a set but the 2022 champion steadied the ship before closing out a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory inside three hours.
Briton Dan Evans needed a much bigger effort to advance as he beat Russian 23rd seed Karen Khachanov 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 in the longest US Open match of the professional era -an exhausting five hours and 35 minutes.
“Obviously I won’t practice tomorrow. Just recover and try and recover as best as possible. I was hurting all over really,” Evans said.
“I don’t think I’ve played five hours, that long, in a day ever in two sessions, never mind in one.”
Former champion Emma Raducanu was unable to avoid the exit door as the Briton fell 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 to Sofia Kenin, while fourth seed Elena Rybakina overcame a late fightback to beat Destanee Aiava 6-1, 7-6.
French Open and Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini was made to work hard by 2019 New York champion Bianca Andreescu but went through 6-7(5) 6-2 6-4.
Playing in her final Grand Slam before retiring at the end of the season, Danielle Collins was beaten 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 by fellow American Caroline Dolehide.
