No panic for Jannik as Sinner battles past Shapovalov at US Open

NEW YORK :Defending champion Jannik Sinner overcame stiff resistance to power into the U.S. Open fourth round with a 5-7 6-4 6-3 6-3 win over 27th seed Denis Shapovalov on Saturday that extended his unbeaten run at hardcourt Grand Slams to 24 matches.

The 24-year-old Italian has not lost on his dominant surface at the majors since 2023, capturing two Australian Open titles as well as last year's trophy at Flushing Meadows

There was a hint of concern from Sinner's team when he made a double fault to go 0-30 down at 2-5 in the first set, but the world number one held serve and raised his fist to loud roars after hitting a spectacular lob en route to breaking back.

A rattled Shapovalov remonstrated with the chair umpire during the changeover, protesting an automated foot fault, but composed himself and snatched the set after a fourth double fault from Sinner drew gasps at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

As shadows engulfed the main showcourt, the ice-cool Sinner breezed through the next set with minimum fuss to go level, and dug himself out of a hole from 0-3 in the next to claim six straight games and lead the match for the first time.

Sinner broke again in the following set and a frustrated Shapovalov sarcastically pumped his fists and glared at his team before the world number one put him out of his misery to set up a clash with Tommy Paul or Alexander Bublik.