World no. 1 and defending champion Jannik Sinner produced a statement start at the US Open. The Italian ousted Vit Kopriva 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 in an hour and 38 minutes, notching his 22nd consecutive hard-court Major win.
Jannik showcased his trademark precision and dominance, outplaying his rival on serve and return and sailing into the second round without spending too much time on the court.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, the encounter meant far more to Kopriva than the numbers revealed. The Czech reflected with gratitude afterward, calling the encounter the highlight of his career.
Kopriva described what it meant to share the court with the top-ranked player at Arthur Ashe Stadium, feeling blessed after that experience. For Jannik, it was a regular day at the office.
For Vit, it was a memory to last forever. The Italian served well and denied both break points he faced. He kept the pressure on the other side and seized seven of ten break chances to control the scoreboard.
The Czech struggled to match the top seed's relentless pace, dropping nearly 60% of the points in his games and ending the duel with four games on his tally. Sinner landed 17 winners and 20 unforced errors.
He capitalized on 27 mistakes from the other side and enjoyed a relaxed day at the office. Sinner moved 5-0 up in the opening set and closed it with a hold in game seven for 6-1 after 30 minutes.
He secured three breaks in the second set and clinched the set after Kopriva's double fault at 5-1, building two sets to love lead after swift 61 minutes. The favorite grabbed a break in the fourth game of the third set.
He denied those two break points at 4-2 and sealed the deal with a backhand down the line winner on the return at 5-2.
"Lifetime experience. The biggest stage in tennis, the best player in the world. Blessed," Vit Kopriva wrote.
