TOP seed Jannik Sinner brushed aside the doping controversy that marred his US Open preparations in the early hours of today to start his campaign with victory while fellow title contender Carlos Alcaraz also advanced after a minor scare.
Women’s top seed Iga Swiatek defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 6-4, 7-6 to reach the second round before two-times champion Naomi Osaka upset 10th seed Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 6-2 on her return to the competition after taking time off to have her baby.
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.
Alcaraz, who won Wimbledon earlier in the year, gifted Australian qualifier Li Tu a set but the 2022 champion recovered to win 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 inside three hours.
Briton Dan Evans needed time to advance as he beat Russian 23rd seed Karen Khachanov 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 in the longest US Open match of the professional era — five hours and 35 minutes.
Former champion Emma Raducanu continued her poor form as the young Briton lost 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.
French Open and Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini was given a tough time by 2019 New York champion Bianca Andreescu but went through 6-7, 6-2, 6-4.
Playing in her final Grand Slam before retiring at the end of the season, Danielle Collins was beaten 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 by fellow American Caroline Dolehide.
