NEW YORK: Top seed Jannik Sinner left the doping controversy that marred his US Open preparations in the rear view mirror on Tuesday with a largely drama-free start to his campaign while fellow title contender Carlos Alcaraz also advanced after a minor blip as two-time champion Naomi Osaka made a tearful and colourful return to Flushing Meadows.

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.

“The response from fans, I feel it has been great, also throughout when the news came out, in the practice sessions, there was a lot of support, which I’m very glad and happy about,” Sinner said. “It is still a little bit, you know, not easy. You have to go day by day ... I was curious to see how the reaction of the fans has been, but it has been very positive.”

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 (6/8), 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/4), 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.”

Fifth Daniil Medvedev fought off a spirited challenge from Dusan Lajovic to win 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, but 11th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas was not so lucky, losing 7-6(5) 4-6 6-3 7-5 to Thanasi Kokkkinakis.

Stan Wawrinka, the 2016 champion, failed in his bid to become only the third man in last 50 years to win a main draw match at the tournament at the age of 39 or over. Wawrinka slipped to a 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 loss at the hands of Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci.

Osaka, who missed last year’s tournament after giving birth to her daughter Shai, stunned 10th seed Jelena Ostapenko.

Former world number one Osaka, now ranked 88, came through 6-3, 6-2 for her first top 10 win in four years.

The Japanese star crunched nine aces in her 19 winners and committed just five unforced errors to her opponent’s 21.

Her tennis was as striking as her outfit. Osaka arrived on court with a brightly-coloured, giant bow on the back of her jacket and a frilly skirt over her playing dress.

To complete the ensemble, the 26-year-old attached small bows to the heels of both shoes.

“Last year I was watching Coco [Gauff] play and I so badly wanted to step on these courts again,” said a tearful Osaka, a four-time major winner. “I didn’t know if I could ... just to win this match and just to be in this atmosphere means so much to me.”

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 (7/1).

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 (5/7), 6-2, 6-4.

Tommy Paul and Jessica Pegula led the American cha­rge as they closed out the action on New York’s showcourts.

Paul beat Italian Lorenzo Sonego 6-4 6-2 5-7 6-2, the 14th seed fending off 11 of 13 break points in front of the diehard fans who stayed late into the night under the lights at Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Sixth seed Pegula knocked out compatriot Shelby Rogers 6-4, 6-3 in the last match of the night on Arthur Ashe Stadium. It was also the last match of Rogers’ Grand Slam singles career, though she is set to play in the doubles.

Sebastian Korda cruised past France’s Corentin Moutet 7-6 (7/3), 6-1, 6-0 and will meet Czech Tomas Machac in the next round.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2024