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Andrew Cesare Richardson

Jannik Sinner overcame a 6-2 first set loss to reach the US Open second round in his first match since his doping case emerged a week ago.
The men’s world No 1 ultimately overcame United States’ Mackie McDonald in four sets, winning 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 in his bid for his second grand slam triumph.
Despite the recent revelations, there were no apparent signs of disparaging remarks from the crowd throughout the match.
“The response from fans, I feel it has been great,” Sinner said. “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.
“It is still a little bit not easy. You have to go through [it], day by day.”

The Italian came into the tournament after the revelation he had failed a drugs test in March but was cleared of any wrongdoing and therefore eligible to take part in the fourth slam of the season.
Sinner said his physio Giacomo Naldi had applied an over-the-counter spray containing clostebol to his own skin to treat a small finger wound and then administered massages between March 5 and 13 without using gloves, according to the ITIA, and that the amount of clostebol found in his system was less than a billionth of a gram.
The 20-year-old has since parted company with Naldi.
Novak Djokovic was among the tennis stars who questioned the outcome of the investigation, citing a lack of consistency with regard to previous instances of doping in the sport.
“I cannot really control what they think and what they [say],” Sinner said. “I cannot control the players’ reaction.
“If I have something to say to someone, I go there privately, because I’m this kind of person. But, look, overall, it has been not bad. So I’m happy about that.”
It was a far from convincing start to the tournament from the 23-year-old, who double-faulted and made 14 unforced errors against an opponent ranked 140th in the world.
“I made him see a lot of balls. I served really well, too. I was defending super well,” said McDonald, who beat Rafael Nadal at the 2023 Australian Open. “My level just decreased, which is disappointing. I feel like I can play some really good tennis, which I did for a little bit. But to do that for a long time against a guy like that was too tough for me.”

DAN EVANS WINS THE LONGEST MATCH IN US OPEN HISTORY! pic.twitter.com/n8pS6HjrRN
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 27, 2024

Meanwhile, Dan Evans’ five-set victory over Karen Khachanov set a record as the longest match in US Open history, lasting five hours, 35 minutes.
The Briton eventually won the match 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 after trailing 4-0 and 15-40 in the final set.
The previous record was 5 hours, 26 minutes, when Stefan Edberg beat Michael Chang in the 1992 semi-finals.
“I just tried to keep fighting – at 4-0 I thought I was out,” Evans said. “I’ve got a bad headache now. It was a hell of a match. I just want to go to bed.”
Associated Press contributed to this report


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US Open (tennis)

US Open: Jannik Sinner poor in first outing since doping case, tournament sees longest match

Jannik Sinner lost the first set against Mackie McDonald before reaching the second round at the Australian Open in four sets. Photo: TNS 

Jannik Sinner waves to the crowd at Flushing Meadows after his first-round victory. Photo: USA TODAY Sports

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Naomi Osaka celebrates winning a point against Jelena Ostapenko during their first round women’s singles match at the US Open. Photo: EPA-EFE

French Open champion Iga Swiatek is chasing her second grand slam title of 2024. Photo: AFP

Turkey defender Ferdi Kadioglu has joined English Premier League side Brighton. Photo: Reuters

Williams driver Logan Sargeant walks away from his car after crashing during the third free practice ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix. Photo: AP

Everton striker Iliman Ndiaye (left) celebrates with teammate Idrissa Gueye after scoring his side’s second against Doncaster Rovers. Photo: AFP

US Open: rusty Novak Djokovic kicks off grand slam record bid with Radu Albot thrashing

With a grey sleeve over his surgically repaired knee, Djokovic racked up almost twice as many unforced errors as winners against Moldova’s Radu Albot. Photo: AFP

Defending champion Coco Gauff defeated Varvara Gracheva of France on day one of the US Open. Photo: USA TODAY Sports

Radu Albot, the 34-year-old Moldovan, has never been past the third round in 30 appearances at majors. Photo: AP

US Open: Olympic tennis champion Zheng Qinwen powers her way through tough Anisimova test

Zheng Qinwen celebrates winning a point during her women’s singles first round match against Amanda Anisimova at the US Open. Photo: AP

Maria Sakkari was forced to retire after just one set of her match against Wang Yafan. Photo: Getty Images

Sport

Tennis

Italian lost first set before winning in four, while UK’s Dan Evans took 5 hours, 35 minutes to secure victory in first round


Italian lost first set before winning in four, while UK’s Dan Evans took 5 hours, 35 minutes to secure first-round win over Karen Khachanov.


US Open: Jannik Sinner poor in first outing since doping case, tournament sees longest match

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Italian lost first set before winning in four, while UK’s Dan Evans took 5 hours, 35 minutes to secure victory in first round

Italian lost first set before winning in four, while UK’s Dan Evans took 5 hours, 35 minutes to secure victory in first round