Jannik Sinner bounced back after dropping the first set to win his first match since he was embroiled in a PED scandal.
Pulling out a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 victory over American Mackenzie McDonald on Tuesday inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, the No. 1-seeded Italian punched his ticket to the second round of the U.S. Open, where he’ll face American Alex Michelsen on Thursday.
News that Sinner tested positive twice for trace amounts of the anabolic steroid Closterbol in an eight-day span in March became public last week, when it was announced that the 23-year-old was docked prize money and ranking points from the tournament where the first result appeared.
Sinner was ultimately not suspended, however, because it was ruled he was not at fault.
The situation has drawn criticism from other players, including big names like Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios.
“Yeah, there are some reactions,” Sinner said in his post-match interview. “You know, I cannot really control what they think and what they [say]. That’s how everything went and how it was, I already [talked], no?
“I cannot control the players’ reaction, and if I have something to say to someone, I go there privately, because I’m [that] kind of person. But, look, overall, it has been not bad. So I’m happy about that.”
During his pre-tournament news conference, Sinner said he fired the fitness trainer who bought an over-the-counter spray containing Clostebol in Italy and the physiotherapist who used it for a cut on his finger before treating the player and transferring the substance to his body.
Players have mainly expressed displeasure with the way Sinner’s case was handled.
There is belief that certain athletes are treated differently than others when it comes to the process of determining discipline related to doping.
“I’m curious to see how the reaction of the fans has been, but it has been very positive,” Sinner said. “I was very glad how the support was, also playing against an American, no, it’s a little bit different.
“So I’m happy how I handled those situations, it was not easy. So I think a lot of positive things from today, and so let’s keep seeing what’s coming in the next round.”
Sinner recovered from a brutal opening set, in which he totaled 14 unforced errors and struggled to find a killer instinct.
McDonald managed to nab five games in a row after it was knotted at two-all.
Over the rest of the match, Sinner committed just 15 unforced errors, including zero in the third.
