Sinner faces Popyrin challenge, Gauff struggles with revamped serve at US Open

The U.S. Open continues its second round on Thursday, with defending men's champion Jannik Sinner facing Alexei Popyrin. Women's second seed Iga Swiatek plays Suzan Lamens, while Coco Gauff takes on Donna Vekic.

TOP MEN'S MATCH: JANNIK SINNER V ALEXEI POPYRIN

World number one Jannik Sinner hardly missed a beat when he started his U.S. Open title defence with a straight-sets win over Vit Kopriva.

His performance, with seven aces and only one double fault, laid to rest much of the speculation about his health, showing he had recovered well after retiring due to illness during the Cincinnati Open final last week.

However, the 24-year-old Italian now faces Australia's Alexei Popyrin, who is known for testing his opponents with his power and ability to finish at the net. Popyrin beat Sinner in their only previous meeting in 2021.

"If you want to win these tournaments, you have to beat one of these players at some point," Popyrin said after winning his first-round match in straight sets. "I know my game, I know how I can play and I know the trouble I can cause, so I’m not really worried about it."

Sinner said he was ready for whatever challenge came his way in pursuit of a fifth Grand Slam title.

"I feel physically in a good spot... let's see what's coming," he added.

TOP WOMEN'S MATCH: IGA SWIATEK V SUZAN LAMENS

World number two Iga Swiatek eased to victory against Emiliana Arango in the first round, dropping only three games in a dominant straight-sets win.

With the victory, the 24-year-old Pole also broke Monica Seles's record for the most consecutive WTA singles opening matches won in the professional era (65), a testament to the six-time Grand Slam winner's enduring form.

"There are a lot of positive vibes in the team," Swiatek said