Jannik Sinner Plays Down Injury Concerns After Surviving Scare Against Denis Shapovalov at US Open

Denis Shapovalov took the first set from Jannik Sinner, and this sparked injury concerns. In recent times, no player other than Carlos Alcaraz has challenged Sinner, and so when his US Open third-round match ended in four sets, there were concerns whether the defending champion was dealing with some niggle.

Sinner, however, has brushed aside the injury worries, lauding Shapovalov for his performance. It was their second encounter in singles, following the 2021 Australian Open first round, which the World No.1 lost in five sets.

And also, I’m not a machine, you know (smiling). I also struggle sometimes. Today I felt like from my side I didn’t struggle. I was playing great tennis, and he also. And then the match is there. Yeah, as I always say, when I go in matches, I just want to feel well prepared.

Jannik Sinner said at the press conference

This season, Shapovalov lost all the Grand Slam tournaments without reaching the fourth round. He produced his best performance at the Majors when he progressed to the semifinals of the 2021 Wimbledon.

Of course, as I said before, Denis is an incredible player. He has shown this over and over again. He won two titles this year. He is in good shape, good form, I think we saw this today. Serving very well, returning well, you know, and then everything can happen.

Jannik Sinner added

Shapovalov has so far reached two finals and clinched those titles. He defeated Casper Ruud at the Dallas Open and Aleksandar Kovacevic at the Los Cabos Open.

Jannik Sinner will face Alexander Bublik next

Jannik Sinner, in the fourth round of the US Open, will be up against someone who became the first player other than Carlos Alcaraz to beat him this year. It’s Alexander Bublik, who knocked him out in the second round of the Halle Open before defeating Daniil Medvedev to win the title.