US Open 2025: Sinner cruises past Popyrin as Rublev and Musetti also advance

World number one Jannik Sinner continued the defence of his US Open crown with another commanding performance, dispatching Australia’s Alexei Popyrin in straight sets to reach the third round at Flushing Meadows, Sport360NG reports.

The 24-year-old Italian, who lost only four games in his opening match against Vit Kopriva, was similarly dominant on Arthur Ashe Stadium, sealing a 6-3 6-2 6-2 victory in just over two hours.

Sinner, who struggled with his first-serve percentage but excelled on the return, broke Popyrin early in each set to maintain control. “We both didn’t serve our best, but I was reading his second serve really well,” he said afterwards. “I’m happy with how I played, though I’ll keep working to improve my serve.”

The reigning champion, already a winner at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year, has now put together 23 consecutive victories at hard-court majors. He will next meet Canada’s Denis Shapovalov, the 27th seed, in round three.

Sinner’s clinical streak was evident when he fended off three break points midway through the second set before immediately breaking Popyrin to snuff out any resistance. A similar pattern followed in the third set, with the four-time Grand Slam champion punishing missed opportunities to close out a routine win.

Elsewhere in the men’s draw, Russian 15th seed Andrey Rublev battled past American qualifier Tristan Boyer in four sets. Boyer, ranked 113 in the world, claimed the third set but Rublev steadied himself to complete a 6-3 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-4) victory. He will next face Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong, who backed up his historic first-round win with another four-set triumph, this time against Australia’s Adam Walton.

Italian 10th seed Lorenzo Musetti also impressed, sweeping aside Belgium’s David Goffin 6-4 6-0 6-2 to book his place in the third round.