World No 6 arrives at the US Open on the back of his first Masters 1000 title, and buoyed by how he matches up with Carlos Alcaraz
From the very beginning of the French Open this year, an opportunity was reserved for whoever had the courage to take it. While the tournament’s perennial conqueror, Rafael Nadal, was absent, both Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz had been drawn into the top half. The bottom half, meanwhile, was wide open. Among the many contenders, Jannik Sinner, a youngster from South Tyrol in northern Italy, had as great a chance as any one of achieving a career highlight.
But expectations can be crippling. Faced with increased pressure, Sinner crumbled. He was out in the second round, falling in five sets to the then world No 79, Daniel Altmaier. “In Paris, the second round match was not with the right mindset and this for me,” says Sinner, shaking his head. “It was something that I will not accept any more in that way. Obviously you can lose – there’s nothing wrong with losing – but losing in the right way. I have worked a lot personally, for myself.”