Jannik Sinner’s aura of invincibility took a hit under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, but his title defense at the US Open remains firmly intact.
The world number one dropped a set for the first time in this year’s tournament, his record-breaking streak of dominance broken by Denis Shapovalov’s fearless shot-making.
Yet instead of crumbling, Sinner showcased the grit and composure of a champion, clawing back to secure a 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 victory that carried more weight than any straight-sets win.
The contest began with shades of vulnerability from Sinner. The Italian, who had barely broken a sweat in his first two matches, found himself pushed onto the back foot by Shapovalov’s booming serve and aggressive play.
The Canadian cracked 15 aces in the opening set alone, dictating with pace and angle, and capitalizing when Sinner faltered with a costly double fault to hand over the set.
For the first time in New York, Sinner was asked a question that statistics alone couldn’t answer: how would he respond when his rhythm was disrupted?
The answer arrived in the form of resilience. Sinner adjusted his return position, found deeper consistency in the rallies, and began to grind Shapovalov down.
By the seventh game of the second set, the shift was visible, Sinner pounced on a rare lapse from the Canadian, breaking serve and leveling the match soon after. From there, the pendulum swung sharply in his favor.
Even when Shapovalov surged ahead 2-0 in the third, Sinner didn’t panic. Instead, he steadied his serve, cut down his unforced errors, and reeled off a flurry of games that left his opponent reeling.
By the time he sealed the third set 6-3, momentum had firmly shifted, and the fourth became an exhibition of controlled dominance.
Sinner’s clean ball striking forced Shapovalov into mistakes, and his calm under pressure underscored the difference between a promising challenger and a world number one.
“It was a very tough match today,” Sinner admitted. “I know Denis since a long time. The last time we played was some years ago.
“We both improved so much. I knew I had to play at a very very high level. I’m happy I managed to win. He started off very well. I tried to stay there mentally.”
Why this win matters more than the scoreline
Sinner’s numbers on the night were far from pristine-36 unforced errors, five double faults, and a shaky 58 percent first-serve percentage. But perhaps that is exactly why the victory matters.
The 24-year-old proved that even when his game sputters, his competitive edge carries him through. It’s the kind of battle that hardens a player for the second week of a Grand Slam, when the margins shrink and survival depends on problem-solving under pressure.
Sinner has now advanced to the round of 16 in a major for the 18th time, extending his streak to 24 straight wins at hard-court Slams. His run at Flushing Meadows also reached double digits, marking his tenth consecutive triumph in New York.
Those numbers highlight his consistency, but the Shapovalov test offered something more valuable: a reminder that champions are defined not by perfection, but by their response to imperfection.
“It’s getting tougher and tougher, physically and mentally,” Sinner said, reflecting on the grind of the US Open. “Very happy to be in the second week again. It’s a special place for me for many years.”
Eyes on the bigger picture
Sinner now awaits either Tommy Paul or Alexander Bublik, both dangerous in their own right but lacking the pedigree of his most likely challengers later in the tournament, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic.
For Sinner, who has already lifted the Australian Open title this year, the pressure is mounting to prove that his world number one ranking is no fleeting achievement.
Shapovalov, meanwhile, leaves New York with encouragement despite the defeat. His explosive start showed glimpses of the player once tipped to break into the sport’s elite, though inconsistency once again held him back.
For Sinner, though, the night belonged to his ability to bend without breaking. His streak may be over, but his title defense marches on. And if there was any doubt about his mettle, Saturday’s fightback silenced it.
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