US Open 2025: Sinner cruises through opener with emphatic win

World number one Jannik Sinner began the defence of his US Open crown in commanding fashion, brushing aside Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva in straight sets at Flushing Meadows, Sport360NG reports.

The 24-year-old Italian needed just one hour and 38 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium to seal a 6-1 6-1 6-2 victory, dropping only four games against the world number 89.

Sinner showed no lingering effects from the illness that forced him to retire during last week’s Cincinnati Open final against Carlos Alcaraz, delivering a sharp and clinical performance.

“I’m very happy to be healthy again and to start the tournament in the best possible way,” said the top seed, who has now stretched his unbeaten run at hard-court Grand Slams to 22 matches.

Kopriva, making his debut in the main draw at New York, was unable to trouble the reigning champion, who continues to underline his dominance on the biggest stages. Sinner has now captured three of the past four majors, adding this year’s Australian Open and Wimbledon titles to his breakthrough US Open triumph last season. His only setback came in June, when Alcaraz edged him in a memorable French Open final.

“Coming back here brings special memories,” Sinner added. “Every year is different, but I’m glad I’ve started this one well. It’s always exciting to return and compete with the best players in the world.”

Sinner will face Australia’s Alexei Popyrin, ranked 36th, in round two after he eased past Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori in straight sets.

Elsewhere in the men’s draw, Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti, the 10th seed, overcame Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 6-4 6-4, registering his first significant win since being forced to withdraw from his French Open semi-final against Alcaraz.

Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik, seeded 23rd, knocked out 2014 champion Marin Cilic of Croatia with a 6-4 6-1 6-4 win, while Canada’s Denis Shapovalov, the 27th seed, dispatched Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics 6-0 6-4 6-4.