US Open 2025: Jannik Sinner praises 'big favourite' Carlos Alcaraz for 'barely missing any shots' at Flushing Meadows
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By Tom Cantoni
Published 29/08/2025 at 09:18 GMT+1
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The world's top two tennis players remain very much in contention for the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year - the US Open. Both Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have produced dominant displays at Flushing Meadows to reach the third round. It appears Sinner has been keeping a close eye on his on-court rival, noting that Alcaraz is "barely missing any shots" in New York.
US Open Highlights: Alcaraz and Sabalenka breeze through in straight sets in night session
Video credit: SNTV
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has been paying close attention to his on-court rival Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open, noting that the Spaniard is "barely missing any shots" in New York.
The pair have a share of the spoils from this year’s Grand Slams, having gone head-to-head at the 2025 French Open and Wimbledon finals.
They are both still in contention for the fourth and final major of the year, having progressed through the opening two rounds at Flushing Meadows.
Sinner has looked a dominant force in his victories over Vit Kopriva and Alexei Popyrin, while Alcaraz has also produced straight-set wins in his matches against Reilly Opelka and Mattia Bellucci.
"I feel like he is an all-round player," said Sinner on Alcaraz.
"I think we have seen that on many, many occasions, and winning Roland Garros and winning Wimbledon and winning here. You know, it shows that he knows how to play on every surface.
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"I’ve seen the match here, and he’s playing very, very good and not missing barely any shots at the moment. So he’s confident.
"It makes it very difficult to play against him, because tactically you prepare matches in different ways depending on where you play.
"He is a big favourite in every tournament where he plays because he has so many solutions and game styles he can provide and he can solve problems with.
"There are many, many things which make him so difficult to play against, but it’s great for the sport. It’s good to have someone like Carlos, entertaining and great to watch, and that’s what people love."
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Highlights: Sinner and Swiatek kickstart US Open campaigns with easy wins
Video credit: SNTV
Following their epic showdowns in the French Open and Wimbledon finals this year, Sinner and Alcaraz faced each other again earlier this month at the Cincinnati Open.
However, the Italian was forced to retire in the final mid-match due to illness, having gone 5–0 down in the first set.
Sinner, who won last year’s US Open, will be looking to replicate his Melbourne success from earlier this year when he defended a Grand Slam title for the first time in his career.
But the world No. 1 appears to view it in a different light, adding: "As I always say, I’m not defending.
"I’m always chasing, because every tournament you start with zero on the first round, and if you don’t play well, you are out of the tournament.
"You know, you are chasing for the trophies or good performances, and that’s what I’m trying to do."
The Italian will face Canadian Denis Shapovalov in the third round on Saturday, August 30, while Alcaraz continues his campaign on Friday, August 29, against 34th-ranked Luciano Darderi.
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