NEW YORK — The defending champion’s title defense was hanging by a thread. On a sweltering afternoon at the US Open, Jannik Sinner looked human, frustrated, and on the brink. But in a stunning display of resilience that drew a roar from the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd, the Italian superstar dug deep, declaring with his racket what he would later say with his words: “I’m not a machine.” Sinner fought back from a perilous position to defeat the dangerous Canadian 27th seed, Denis Shapovalov, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, advancing to the third round.
The highly anticipated second-round clash lived up to its billing as a potential thriller from the outset. Both players possess some of the most explosive, fluid shot-making in the game, and they traded blistering groundstrokes from the baseline. Shapovalov, known for his high-risk, high-reward style, was the aggressor early, finding remarkable angles with his single-handed backhand and firing aces past the Sinner return.
The first set was a tense affair with neither player facing a break point until the critical 11th game. With Sinner serving at 5-6, Shapovalov elevated his game, unleashing a series of punishing returns. He created two set points and converted the first with a screaming down-the-line winner, sealing the set 7-5 and sending a clear message that he was there to upset the apple cart.
The second set followed a similar pattern of brutal hitting, but Sinner began to find his range. The key moment came with Shapovalov serving at 4-5. Under immense pressure, the Canadian double-faulted to hand Sinner a set point. On the very next point, a marathon rally ended with a Shapovalov forehand sailing long, and Sinner leveled the match, pumping his fist and letting out a guttural cry that electrified the stadium.
From there, the momentum shifted irrevocably. Sinner’s movement, impeccable timing, and relentless depth began to wear Shapovalov down. The unforced errors, a constant specter in Shapovalov’s game, began to flow from his racket with increasing frequency. Sinner secured a single break in each of the third and fourth sets, his defense transforming into impenetrable offense.
Shapovalov’s challenge effectively ended when he required a medical timeout for a apparent issue with his left leg early in the fourth set. While he continued to fight, his movement was clearly compromised, allowing Sinner to control the rallies and close out the match after three hours and ten minutes of high-octane tennis.
A Champion's Mindset: The Turning Point
The match turned not on a single shot, but on a mental recalibration from the world number one. After dropping the first set, Sinner was seen having an animated discussion with his coach, Simone Vagnozzi, during a changeover. He later revealed the content of that conversation was a simple reminder to stay present. “I was just telling myself to stay in the moment, fight for every ball,” Sinner said in his on-court interview.
He acknowledged the difficulty of the battle, praising his opponent’s formidable level. “Denis is an incredible player. We have had some tough battles in the past. He was playing incredible in the first set, serving well, hitting the ball great. I had to try and find a solution, and I’m happy I found it in the second set.”
By the Numbers: A Tale of Efficiency
A look at the match statistics reveals the story of Sinner’s efficient victory. While Shapovalov hit more winners (42 to 38), he was ultimately undone by a staggering 60 unforced errors. Sinner, by contrast, maintained a cleaner sheet with only 25. The Italian’s returning prowess also shone through, as he won 40% of points on Shapovalov’s first serve in the final three sets.
- Aces: Sinner 10, Shapovalov 15
- Break Points Converted: Sinner 4/7, Shapovalov 1/3
- Net Points Won: Sinner 75%, Shapovalov 58%
The Human Element: "I'm Not a Machine"
In his post-match press conference, Sinner was refreshingly candid about the pressures of being the top seed and defending a major title. When asked about expectations, he smiled and delivered the line that defined the day. “Everyone expects me to win every match easily. But I am not a machine. I am a human being who can have bad days or start slow. The important thing is to fight, to find a way, and that is what I did today.”
This vulnerability, paired with his undeniable fighting spirit, is what endears Sinner to fans and marks his evolution from a pure ball-striker to a mature, complete champion. He acknowledged the physical toll of the match and the New York heat, but emphasized his readiness for the next challenge.
What's Next for Sinner?
With this stern test passed, Jannik Sinner moves into the third round where he will face the winner of the match between Tallon Griekspoor and Miomir Kecmanovic. This victory, hard-earned and mentally taxing, may prove to be a crucial turning point in his tournament. Often, a champion needs an early-round scare to sharpen their focus for the tougher battles that lie ahead in the second week.
For Denis Shapovalov, it’s another heartbreaking loss in a season hampered by injuries. However, the level he displayed for a set and a half against the world number one will serve as a reminder of the top-10 talent he possesses when his explosive game is firing on all cylinders.
As the New York sun set on Arthur Ashe Stadium, the message was clear: Jannik Sinner might not be a machine, but his will to win is programmed with the code of a champion. He found a way when his best tennis momentarily escaped him, and in doing so, he reinforced why he sits atop the tennis world.