Tennis' young stars Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are expected to progress far at the US Open but nothing is for certain, especially at a Grand Slam.
On Aug 27, the duo survived first-round wobbles to stay on course for a semi-final showdown, as two-time champion Naomi Osaka made a tearful and colourful return to Flushing Meadows.
World No. 1 Sinner fought back from a set and break down to defeat 140th-ranked Mackenzie McDonald in his first match since being embroiled in a doping test controversy.
Alcaraz, the third seed and 2022 champion in New York, overcame a second-set blip to defeat 186thranked qualifier Tu Li of Australia 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Italy's Sinner battled to a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 win over his American opponent on Arthur Ashe Stadium, racing away with 18 of the last 22 games.
The 23-year-old was returning to action just a week after it was revealed he had failed two drug tests in March. However, he escaped a lengthy ban when officials decided he was not at fault for the presence of banned anabolic agent clostebol in his system.
This story is from the August 29, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
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This story is from the August 29, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
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