Heading into this year’s US Open, it feels like, after the Cincinnati Open, it’s become much tougher to pick an outright choice for the title.
After all, Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner would both have usually been the overwhelming favourites, but exited the most recent event in unceremonious fashion.
The former was well beaten by Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals, with the Italian forced to retire with an illness that saw him fall into a 5-0 deficit against Carlos Alcaraz.
For many, these are just blips. However, for others, it could mark a shake-up in the US Open hierarchy.
Darren Cahill offers update on Jannik Sinner’s fitness ahead of the US Open
Fortunately for Sinner, his coach has since emerged to ensure that this was in fact just a momentary setback, and should hold no bearing on his chances in New York going forward.
After all, he even emerged on ESPN to quell any fears.
The Australian admitted: “I spoke to him briefly last night. He was feeling a bit better last night. He will take today off as well, that’s the plan, and hopefully get on the court tomorrow and start hitting a few balls….We are confident he’s going to be fine.”
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This sparked pundit Patrick McEnroe to admit: “The good news for Sinner is that it’s not an injury, so the illness, they’ll get over that in a couple of days.”
Alcaraz pinpointed the exact moment he knew something was wrong with Sinner after that Cincinnati Open final, in what was a really sad end to a strong tournament from both.
Jannik Sinner still has to be considered the favourite for the US Open title
With Cahill having confirmed his fitness, it feels as tough Sinner must return to the top of most people’s favourites list for the US Open.
After all, on this surface, he has been near-unstoppable for well over a year now.
The Australian Open, and the US Open, have been foregone conclusions before they have even begun. It is simply a surface that adapts phenomenally to his relentless, supremely powerful play style.
Alcaraz will push him all the way, and is a former champion himself in New York. He cannot be discredited.
But Sinner should still be considered the overwhelming favourite, provided nothing like the Cincinnati Open final recurs.