Jannik Sinner Dominates Vit Kopriva in US Open First Round, Advances with Musetti and Arnaldi
NEW YORK, NY — August 27, 2025 World No. 1 Jannik Sinner delivered a commanding performance in his opening match at the 2025 US Open, defeating Czech player Vit Kopriva 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 on August 26 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The defending champion, who was up two sets and a break (6-1, 6-1, 4-1) before closing out the match, showcased his dominance on hard courts, advancing to the second round alongside fellow Italians Lorenzo Musetti and Matteo Arnaldi.
Sinner’s Dominant Performance
Sinner, 24, needed just under two hours to dispatch Kopriva, ranked No. 89, in a match described as “without history” by Repubblica. The Italian, who is defending his 2024 US Open title and fighting to retain his No. 1 ATP ranking, dropped only five games, leveraging his powerful baseline game and 60% first-serve efficiency. Corriere.it reported that Sinner faced two break points but neutralized them with “exceptional serves” and sealed the match with a backhand down the line after missing an initial match point.
The match, Sinner’s first since retiring in the Cincinnati Open final due to illness, showed no signs of lingering health concerns. “I’m feeling great,” Sinner said post-match, per Repubblica. “The first match is never easy, but I’m happy to be back on this court as defending champion.” He now faces the winner of Alexei Popyrin and Emil Ruusuvuori in the second round, with posts on X noting his -20000 odds to win the opener, reflecting his overwhelming favoritism.
Musetti and Arnaldi Advance
Lorenzo Musetti, the No. 10 seed, also progressed to the second round, defeating France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in four sets, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, on Court 7. India Today highlighted Musetti’s resilience after dropping the first set, noting his 2-0 head-to-head record against Perricard from prior wins at Wimbledon and Stuttgart. Musetti, who thanked the Italian community in New York for their support, will face the winner of Quentin Halys and David Goffin next.
Matteo Arnaldi, ranked No. 64, secured a strong victory over No. 19 seed Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina, winning 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. Repubblica reported Arnaldi’s dominance, conceding just one break point (which he saved) and capitalizing on two breaks in the second set. Arnaldi’s performance sets him up against either Leandro Riedi or Pedro Martinez in the next round.
Context and Italian Presence
The trio’s success underscores Italy’s strong showing at the 2025 US Open, with posts on X, such as @Virus1979C’s “Sinner avanti di 2 set con Kopriva (6-1 6-1 1-1). Musetti al 2° turno. In campo anche Arnaldi. #USOpen,” reflecting national pride. Quotidiano Sportivo noted that four Italians—Sinner, Musetti, Arnaldi, and Lorenzo Sonego—competed on August 26, with Sonego facing Tristan Schoolkate later in the day. The Italian contingent is aiming to build on Sinner’s 2024 title and Musetti’s recent top-10 milestone.
Kopriva, making his US Open main-draw debut, struggled to match Sinner’s intensity, managing only one service hold in the first set and committing eight double faults. Sportskeeda highlighted Sinner’s 37-0 record against players outside the top 50 since 2024, underscoring the mismatch.
Broader Implications
Sinner’s victory keeps him in contention to retain his No. 1 ranking, which could be overtaken by Carlos Alcaraz if he falters, per India Today. The Italian’s 21-match Grand Slam win streak on hard courts, including titles at the 2024 and 2025 Australian Opens and the 2024 US Open, positions him as a favorite for a fifth major title. Meanwhile, Musetti and Arnaldi’s progress bolsters Italy’s hopes for deep runs, with fans on X, like @sf_post, praising the “splendid period” for Italian tennis.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will remain on Sinner’s title defense and the Italian contingent’s performance at Flushing Meadows.
Sources: Corriere.it, Repubblica, India Today, Sportskeeda, Quotidiano Sportivo, ATP Tour, Sofascore, X posts.