Jannik Sinner on Thursday polished his record against Italian compatriots to a flawless 10-0 with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 second-round thrashing of Lorenzo Sonego at the US Open.
The German-speaking sixth seed from the northern Alpine region who excelled as a junior ski champion before turning to tennis, booked his third-round spot over his 39th-ranked countryman from Turin in just over two hours.
Sinner posted his third defeat of Sonego, who has lost five of six matches against Top 10 opponents.
The winner was never threatened, wrapping up an efficient win on the first of three match points from his opponent’s forehand return into the net.
“We’re good friends and play Davis Cup together,” Sinner said of the match-up. “It’s tough to play him.”
The winner said that his game was on point form the start: “I served very well and returned serve at a high percentage.
“I’m very happy about the performance and happy to be in the next round – let’s see what’s coming.”
After coming to the net 24 times, the Italian said that his confidence in that area of the court is growing.
“We are working a lot trying to push me forward. My game has improved a little bit and I have more confidence at the net; this is a new thing of mine.”
Sinner came to New York after claiming a career-first Masters 1000 title two weeks ago in Toronto.
“I’ve been close this season to winning a Masters and now I’ve done it,” he said.
Sinner will face off against 2016 champion Stan Wawrinka after the Swiss had the last word with a 17th ace which secured a 7-6 (6), 6-7 (7), 6-3, 6-2 win over Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
Grigor Dimitrov called a screeching halt to the 17th Open appearance of Andy Murray, defeating his fellow veteran and 2012 New York champion 6-3, 6-4, 6-1.
Murray saved a pair of match points but agonisingly sent over a double-fault on his opponent’s third winning chance to exit as the pair played for the 12th time and the first in nearly seven years since Murray won their final in Beijing in 2016.
Dimitrov, a 2019 semi-finalist, ended with 32 winners to 16 for Murray, who lost serve seven times.
The 36-year-old Scot had won five of the previous six against his opponent, 32.
Dimitrov is coached by a team populated with former Murray mentors with no secrets possible between the two squads.
“This was a good clash for both of us,” the winner said. “I’m happy with the performance today – I was expecting five sets.
“A few points leaned to my side, I’m very happy with the fight.”
Murray was disappointed at failing to go further just as his comeback momentum looked to be strengthening.
“It’s obviously disappointing to not play how you would like. I had the deep runs and everything that I felt like I’m capable of, they might not be there, as well.
“I’m aware of what I’m doing, it’s unbelievably challenging to play at the highest level as I am now… some days it’s harder than others.
“Today is obviously a really disappointing defeat and probably the manner of it as well.
“I fought hard enough, but just didn’t play well enough.”
While Murray was going down to defeat against his old rival, young gun Jack Draper was making up for time lost due to months of injury.
The 21-year-old Briton knocked out Hubert Hurkacz 6-2, 6-4, 7-5 to duplicate his third round here from a year ago.
“I feel physically good, but I haven’t had match exposure for a long time, so I’m still sort of managing my body,” Draper said.
“I’m still getting a little bit sore. You have to push your body and know that if you need to go four or five sets, you need to be ready.
“And I was today. I feel good. I’m looking after my shoulder each day. It was a bit sore after my last match but when the adrenaline kicks in you just put it out of my mind and go out and try my best to play the (kind of) tennis I want to.”
Draper next takes on American Michael Mmoh, who ended the career of 38-year-old serving king John Isner, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4, 7-7 (10-7).
The nearly four-hour battle also included 48 aces off the big man’s racquet along with 63 unforced errors; a tearful Isner retires with a career total of 14,411 aces, the all-time best.
“This is why I’ve worked as hard as I have my whole life to play in atmospheres like this,” the American said.
“Of course I can’t win them all.. just like today. But to play in this crowd, to have the support I had, so thank you.”
British 16th seed Cam Norrie rolled over Hsu Yu Hsiiou, a qualifier from Taiwan, 7-5, 6-4, 6-4.,
German 12th seed Alexander Zverev kept up his steady progress with a 7-6 (1), 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 win over compatriot Daniel Altmaier to reach the third round for the fifth time in eight appearances.
He now plays Dimitrov after winning five of his previous six matches with the Bulgarian.
The injury hard luck for former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini continued as the Italian quit trailing 6-4, 5-3 against France’s Arthur Rinderknech.
Berrettini suffered a freak incident in the second set, rolling his right ankle on a tennis ball and falling to the cement in agony. He was forced to retire and had to be helped off court by a trainer.
Aussie Alex de Minaur advanced past Wu Yibing of China with an effortless 6-1, 6-2, 6-1, taking just 87 minutes.
