Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek romp through at US Open

NEW YORK – Top seed Jannik Sinner allayed recent health concerns as he launched the defence of his US Open title on Aug 26 with a 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 win over Czech world No. 89 Vit Kopriva.

Alongside his emphatic victory, women’s draw favourite Iga Swiatek also swept into the second round.

“It feels great to be back here. Obviously, it’s a very special tournament,” said Italy’s Sinner, who is attempting to become the first man to repeat as US Open champion since Swiss great Roger Federer won five in a row from 2004 to 2008.

The 24-year-old faces Australia’s Alexei Popyrin in the second round.

“I’m very happy that I’m healthy again and that we did our best to be in the best possible shape here,” added the Italian, who was forced to retire from last week’s Cincinnati Open final against great rival Carlos Alcaraz.

“I have amazing memories (from last year). Every year is different. You come here starting this tournament hopefully in the best possible way, which I did.”

Sinner’s blistering start on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court was matched by Swiatek.

The Pole was similarly dominant in a 6-1, 6-2 rout of Colombia’s Emiliana Arango.

The 24-year-old was always in control against the 84th-ranked Arango, overwhelming the Colombian with some powerful groundstrokes mixed in with some deft work at the net.

The win makes Swiatek the first woman in history to win 65 consecutive WTA-level first-round matches, surpassing Monica Seles’ previous record of 64.

Yet her performance was relegated to a footnote in her post-match press conference, where news of pop star Taylor Swift’s engagement to National Football League player Travis Kelce dominated the questions.

Swiatek is a fully paid-up “Swiftie” – the nickname given to Swift’s millions of fanatical followers – and could not hide her delight at learning of the singer’s looming nuptials.

“I’m just happy for her, because she deserves the best,” she said.

The six-time Grand Slam singles champion – a winner in New York in 2022 – will face the Netherlands’ Suzan Lamens in the second round.

While Sinner and Swiatek strolled into the second round, 2023 women’s champion Coco Gauff was forced to claw her way past Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic in a gruelling late-night battle that lasted nearly three hours.

Gauff racked up 59 unforced errors, 10 double faults and suffered six breaks of serve before finally prevailing 6-4, 6-7 (2-7), 7-5 against Tomljanovic, ranked 79th in the world.

“It wasn’t the best but I’m happy to get through to the next round,” said Gauff, who admitted she had been drained by an unsettled build-up to the tournament.

Gauff, who won her second career Grand Slam at the French Open in June, overhauled her coaching team on the eve of the US Open in an effort to revamp her service game.

“Honestly, it’s been really tough, mentally exhausting,” she added. “But I’m trying. It wasn’t the best today, but it was an improvement on last week.”

In other women’s matches, eighth seed Amanda Anisimova of the United States ousted Australia’s Kimberly Birrell 6-3, 6-2.

The American eighth seed is chasing another shot at Grand Slam glory, building on a strong season that included her maiden WTA 1000 title in Doha and a run to the Wimbledon final.

“It’s been a special year, I’m just enjoying the journey,” said Anisimova, who will next face Australian Maya Joint.

“I try to have fun every day but these are the moments I enjoy the most. I lost in the first round last year, so I’m really happy to have done better than that.”

Ukrainian 27th seed Marta Kostyuk took down Britain’s Katie Boulter 6-4, 6-4 to set up a date with Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez.

There was disappointment for rising French star Lois Boisson.

The 22-year-old, who captivated her homeland with a run to the French Open semi-finals in June, exited in three sets to Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic, losing 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2.

Golubic will next face Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia. AFP, REUTERS