Jannik Sinner sweeps past Alexei Popyrin to reach US Open third round as world No. 1 matches Roger Federer record
Updated 28/08/2025 at 22:30 GMT+1
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Jannik Sinner secured his 23rd hard-court Grand Slam win in a row as he saw off Alexei Popyrin in straight sets at the US Open. The defending champion broke serve five times as he advanced into the third round in New York, matching a Roger Federer record in the process. Sinner, who is aiming to win the fifth Grand Slam title of his career, next faces Denis Shapovalov.
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Video credit: SNTV
Defending champion Jannik Sinner looked a cut above again as he saw off Alexei Popyrin in straight sets to reach the third round of the US Open.
Popyrin pulled off a shock last year when he beat Novak Djokovic in the third round in New York, but there was no hint of an upset on this occasion as Sinner won 6-3 6-2 6-2.
World No. 1 Sinner has now won 23 hard-court Grand Slam matches in a row, dating back to the 2023 US Open.
He has also matched Roger Federer by winning 41 of his first 50 matches at hard-court Grand Slams.
"I try to play the best tennis I can," said Sinner, who next faces 27th seed Denis Shapovalov.
"I’m very happy I managed those [first two] matches as best as I could.
"When you’re up two sets and a break I try to serve the best I can. I felt like we both didn’t serve great, but I returned very well, especially the second serve.
"I’m very happy about today. I’m obviously aiming to improve the serve, but honestly the rest I feel quite comfortable."
Sinner has not lost a match in New York since defeat to Alexander Zverev in the fourth round two years ago.
He revealed that despite his continued success, he does not stick to one place for his dinner in the "Big Apple".
"I’m not superstitious, but I know some very good Italian places here. I have three or four restaurants where we switch around a little bit.
"I always have to go in the safe spots so I don’t have some problems the days after. New York provides great restaurants. The people are very nice."
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Sinner took control of the contest early on against Popyrin by winning the first three games.
Popyrin fended off three break points to get on the board in the fourth game, but could not prevent Sinner from taking the opening set.
A break to love early in the second set looked as if it would pave the way for Sinner to assert himself further, but the world No. 1 did not have it all his own way and was left puffing with his hands on his knees after a lung-busting 30-shot rally in the sixth game.
Popyrin, though, could not make the most of his opportunity as he failed to take four break points in the game.
The Australian’s misery was then compounded as he was again broken to love in the following game.
Popyrin had a chance to stage a fightback early in the third set when he had two chances to break, but he netted a forehand on the first opening before Sinner fired away a winner to get to deuce.
When Sinner broke to love for the third time in the next game, the outcome of the match looked clear.
Another break moved Sinner a game away and he sealed the win in style with a hold to love.
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