With defending champion Novak Djokovic forced to retire following a shock loss to Alexei Popyrin in the third round on Friday and another title contender, Carlos Alcaraz, beaten by Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round a day earlier, all eyes were on Sinner.
The Italian, who has endured intense scrutiny following a doping controversy in the build-up to the tournament, beat Christopher O’Connell 6-1 6-4 6-2 to underline his credentials as the clear favourite at the final major of the year.
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“This sport is unpredictable, isn’t it? Whenever you drop your level a little bit, whether it’s mental, tennis or physical, in the end it has a big impact on the result,” Sinner said of the exits of Djokovic and Alcaraz.
“Both opponents they lost to played incredible tennis. And that happens.
“So I just look at what I have to do, you know, I think I’ve done it, and then we’ll see what I can do.”
The Australian Open champion’s next opponent will be Tommy Paul, who is among a group of players eager to end a 21-year American wait for a home-grown major winner since Andy Roddick claimed the title in New York.
Read also: US Open 2024: Defending champion Novak Djokovic faces unexpected defeat to Alexei Popyrin
Paul, the 14th seed, recovered from a first-set wobble to overcome Canadian Gabriel Diallo 6-7(5) 6-3 6-1 7-6(3) and was hoping to counter Sinner’s “bang-bang tennis” when they met.
“He’s probably the best hitter on the circuit and I’m not,” Paul said. “I don’t want to face him on the baseline. I want to try to mix things up.”
Paul’s compatriot and sixth seed Jessica Pegula advanced in the women’s draw with a 6-3 6-3 win over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, but Ashlyn Krueger fell 6-1 6-1 to Liudmila Samsonova.
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