Sinner Survives Shapovalov Scare at US Open, Admits: "I'm Not a Machine"

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner overcame a stern test from Denis Shapovalov on Sunday, August 31, rallying from a set down to secure a third-round victory at the US Open. The match lasted three hours and 12 minutes, with Sinner eventually prevailing in a gritty display of resilience and composure.

Shapovalov started strong, using his powerful serve to disrupt Sinner’s rhythm. Known for his mechanical precision and consistency, Sinner initially struggled to find his footing. However, the Italian recalibrated quickly, responding with trademark accuracy and discipline, while Shapovalov’s game grew increasingly erratic.

"I'm not a machine. I also struggle sometimes," Sinner said with a smile in his post-match press conference. "I was playing great tennis - and he was too."

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Reflecting on the match, Sinner emphasized the mental aspect of the game, noting that match situations often differ significantly from practice sessions. He stressed the importance of staying mentally locked in and capitalizing on key moments.

"When I go into matches, I just want to feel well-prepared. If I feel like that, it's a good feeling stepping onto the court because I feel confident in my weapons," Sinner explained. "But matches are always different from practice hits or however you feel before. You just have to stay there mentally.

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"Denis is an incredible player—he’s shown that over and over. He’s won two titles this year and is in really good form. We saw that today: serving well, returning well—and when that happens, anything can happen.”

With the win, Sinner advances to face Alexander Bublik in the fourth round. Bublik booked his spot with a marathon five-set win over 14th seed Tommy Paul. In a dramatic encounter that featured three tie-breaks, Bublik held his nerve in the decider, dominating the final set 6-1 to seal the victory.