US Open 2025 Men’s Day 3

Jannik Sinner kicked off his US Open title defence as he slammed Czech tournament debutant Vit Kopriva 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 in a first-round masterclass which required less than an hour and three-quarters on Tuesday.

The No. 89 challenger came and went without ceremony as world No. 1 Sinner showed full fitness eight days after failing to finish the Cincinnati final against Carlos Alcaraz due to illness..

Sinner has now extended his win streak at Flushing Meadows to eight in a row and 22 straight on Grand Slam hardcourts thanks to January’s Australian Open title and his Open trophy from a year ago.

“It feels great to be back here. It’s a very special tournament, the last Grand Slam of the year,” Sinner said. “The atmosphere here is always amazing.

“Every year is different.  You come here starting the tournament hopefully in the best possible way, which I’ve done.

‘Coming back to a Slam where the emotions are still running definitely… so I’m very happy to come back and compete against the best players in the world.”

No. 89 Kopriva was out of his depth against the top seed, with the Czech slurping to eight double-faults and unable to convert on his only break chance of the one-way rout. 

“I’m very happy that I’m healthy again,” Sinner added. “We did our best to be in the best possible shape.

“I’m very happy about today’s performance. I have amazing memories. I’m starting the tournament, hopefully, in the best possible way.” 

 Sinner will retain the top ATP ranking if he progresses further here than rival Alcaraz, seeded second.

So decisive was Sinner’s win that day play on the main court was finished before 3 p.m., requiring another match to be moved to the showcase venue.

Fellow Italian and 10th seed Lorenzo Musetti used his one-handed backhand to best effect as he clocked a 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 defeat of Frenchman Giovanni Mpethshi Perricard.

After winning just one hardcourt match over three pre-Open tournaments Musetti turned his luck with the victory.

“Today I showed mentally I was really there and stuck to my plan to the last point. I am really proud of this win.”

Francisco Cerundolo rallied from two sets to love down for the first time to complete a 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-3 overhaul of Italian Matteo Arnaldi.

Summer clay Gstaad and Kitzbuehel champion Alexander Bublik won his ninth match on the trot as he defeated 2014 Open winner Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-1, 6-4.

Alexei Popyrin beat comeback candidate Emil Ruusuvuori 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (3) as the Finn who struggled with mental health and last played at the Tour level, in July, 2024, made his return to the sport.