Top-seeded Jannik Sinner averted the upset bug and cruised to a 6–1, 6–4, 6–2 victory over Christopher O'Connell in the third round of the U.S. Open on Saturday in New York.
Unlike No. 2 Novak Djokovic and No. 3 Carlos Alcarez, Sinner avoided being tripped up in the opening week of the final grand slam event of the year.
The 23-year-old Italian recorded 46 winners to just 22 unforced errors to dismiss the unseeded Australian and advance to the round of 16. He will await the winner of the match between Canada’s Gabriel Diallo and 14th-seeded Tommy Paul.
“Everything can happen in this sport, so I try to stay on my side of the net and I’m trying to take (the tournament) day by day,” Sinner said in his on-court interview. “Each opponent is a very tough challenge and (I am) also enjoying every moment on the court. There have been already a couple of upsets, so let’s see what’s coming.
“But I’m very happy to still be here and hopefully I can play as many matches as possible. But as I said, we go day by day and then we'll see how it goes.”
Also on Saturday, 25th-seeded Jack Draper of Great Britain recorded 13 aces in a 6–3, 6–4, 6–2 win over Botic Van De Zandschulp of the Netherlands.
Draper reached the fourth round of the U.S. for the second straight year by besting Van De Zandschulp, who bounced Alcaraz in the second round.
Tomas Machac of Czechia earned a 6–3, 6–1, 6–2 victory over Belgium’s David Goffin to advance to the fourth round.
