Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek are on a mission at the US Open as they stormed into the second round off the back of dominant performances in Flushing Meadows on Tuesday.
Top seed Jannik Sinner launched his US Open title defense with a straightforward 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 win over Czech Vit Kopriva in one hour and 38 minutes, setting up a second-round meeting with Australian Alexei Popyrin, who beat Finn Emil Ruusuvuori in straight sets.
Making his first appearance at the tour level since being forced to retire from the Cincinnati final due to illness (virus), the Italian displayed a flawless performance in Arthur Ashe Stadium, casting out any doubts about his fitness by dominantly winning his opener.
Toward the closing stages of the last set, he received treatment on a finger during a medical timeout, but nothing serious.
In his on-court interview, the 24-year-old outlined: "I'm very happy that I'm healthy again. We did our best to be in the best possible shape, so I'm very happy about today's performance.
"I'm starting the tournament, hopefully, in the best possible way. Coming back to a Grand Slam where the emotions are still running, I'm very happy to come back here."
Last year, the San Candido native became the first Italian men's singles champion in US Open history, defeating American No. 1 Taylor Fritz in the final.
This season, the stakes are higher, with the crown on the line and world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in contention for the year-end No. 1.
Should he succeed in defending the throne in New York City, Sinner will become the second man in history to win both the Australian Open and US Open titles in back-to-back years.
A long journey has just started at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center for the world number one.
Looking ahead, Sinner is seeded to meet fifth seed Jack Draper in the last eight, world No. 3 Alexander Zverev in the semis, and Alcaraz or four-time champion Novak Djokovic in a potential championship match.
The Match as It Happened
The 20-time ATP titlist extended his winning streak to 22 matches at hardcourt Grand Slams, dropping just four games throughout the first round contest against the world No. 89, making his US Open main draw debut.
Hitting the ball cleanly off both wings while finding depth in his shotmaking, Sinner took control of the baseline rallies, neutralizing his opponent with consistency.
Playing with aggression, the player coached by Simone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill stayed sharp behind his serve, winning 83 percent of first serve points and 54 percent on his second delivery.
Also, he converted 7 of 10 break points, finishing with 17 winners against 20 unforced errors, compared to 12 and 27 from Kopriva, respectively.
On the women's side, former world number one Iga Swiatek dismantled No. 84 Emiliana Arango with a statement 6-1, 6-2 win in 60 minutes, setting off her quest for a seventh major, her second in Flushing Meadows.
She easily generated power on the forehand, adding pressure on her adversary, sidelining on the court while struggling to hold her ground.
Competing in her third Grand Slam main draw, the Colombian player failed to find her rhythm, halted by the imperious form showcased by Swiatek, who won 88 percent of the points on her first serve, dropping just three games to her rival.
By clinching the triumph on Tuesday, Poland's No. 1 achieved her 50th win of the year, conquering a new outstanding career milestone.
She is the first woman to win 50 or more matches in each of the last four years, having won 67 in 2022, 68 in 2023, and 64 in 2024.
In addition, she broke Monica Seles's record for most consecutive WTA singles opening matches won in the Open Era, 65 overall.
This season, the 24-year-old, who struggled throughout the first half of the season, carries momentum from Cincinnati, where she lifted her 24th career title, in her attempt to become the first WTA player since Serena Williams in 2012 to win Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in the same year.
Also, the second seed has her sights on the top of the rankings; should Aryna Sabalenka fall before the quarterfinals, the Warsaw-born could earn a shot at the No. 1 by winning the title in a potential final.
The next step toward major glory will see the Pole player face off against world No. 66 Suzan Lamens in the second round.