US Open 2023: Jannik Sinner eases past Lorenzo Sonego, John Isner knocked out in final major

World number six Jannik Sinner defeated fellow Italian Lorenzo Sonego in straight sets to advance to round three of the ongoing US Open. Meanwhile, John Isner succumbed to a defeat at the hands of Michael Mmoh in the final Grand Slam match of his career.

Sinner beat Sonego 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 in the second round to extend his winning record to 10 out of 10 against Italian opponents. Sinner just dropped 10 points from his serve and did not present Sonego with any break point chances.

Speaking after his win, Sinner said his game has improved a little bit, insisting that he feels more comfortable at the net. Sinner won 21 off his 24 net approaches against Sonego in the second round.

“We work a lot, me and my team, trying to push myself forward and I feel like my game has improved a little bit. I feel more comfortable at the net and this is a new thing of mine. Hopefully I can also show this in the future,” said Sinner.

Sinner will now lock horns with either three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka and Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan. He could also face 12th seed Alexander Zverev in the fourth round of the 2023 US Open.

‘Ace King’ Isner bows out

USA’s John Isner played his final Grand Slam match, falling at the hands of fellow American Michael Mmoh in the second round of the 2023 US Open. Mmoh beat Isner 3-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4, 7-6 to advance to round three.

Isner fired 48 aces against Mmoh and had a healthy lead before the 25-year-old turned the match around. Isner, who has the most number of aces in men’s tennis history (14,450), will call time on his Grand Slam career.

Apart from being the ‘Ace King’, Isner is also famous for playing the longest match in tennis history, beating France’s Nicolas Mahut 70-68 in the fifth set after 11 hours, five minutes at Wimbledon 2010.