World No. 1 Jannik Sinner made a successful return to the court at the US Open, overcoming a slow start to defeat American Mackenzie McDonald in the first round on Tuesday. Sinner, playing in his first match since news of his positive tests for a banned substance emerged, displayed mental resilience and skill to secure a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 victory.
Despite facing early challenges, Sinner expressed his satisfaction with his performance, stating, 'I tried to stay there mentally and I tried to get into rhythm, just tried to keep going, so I'm very happy to be in the next round.' The Italian player also acknowledged the positive support he received from the crowd during the match.
Sinner's opponent, McDonald, put up a strong fight but was unable to match Sinner's level of play. Sinner's dominance on the hard court was evident as he improved his season record to 29-2, the most wins on the surface by any player on the men's or women's tour this season.
Following his victory, Sinner addressed the recent controversy surrounding his positive tests for a banned substance. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) had announced that Sinner tested positive for trace amounts of clostebol in March but was cleared of any fault or negligence after an investigation.
Sinner expressed relief at the resolution of the case, stating, 'I was very glad how the support was, also playing against an American... it's a little bit different. So I'm happy how I handled the situation, it was not easy. So I think a lot of positive things from today's day.'
Looking ahead, Sinner is set to face American Alex Michelsen in the second round of the US Open. Despite the recent challenges he has faced, Sinner remains focused on his performance on the court and is determined to continue his success in the tournament.
