World No. 1 Jannik Sinner was at his imperious best as he extended his undisputed Grand Slam hard-court record on Friday night, quashing Alexei Popyrin 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in straight sets to storm into the US Open 2025 third round.
The Italian 24-year-old, who began his hard-court hot streak at the start of 2024 with an Australian Open triumph, has yet to concede a defeat on the hard-cout Slam arean in 23 outings.
Overcoming Nadal, Djokovic to equal Federer
The supreme winning streak has powered Sinner past the likes of leading Grand Slam champions Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in terms of the best starts in hard-court Grand Slam matches. With his latest victory, Sinner completed his first 50 matches in hard-court Slams at the Australian Open and US Open, notching up a staggering 41 wins. Sinner thereby equalled Swiss maestro Roger Federer, who had recorded identical numbers during his heyday. Despite being hailed as the ‘King of Grass’, Federer had pulverised the hard-court circuit in his prime, winning 11 titles, including a record five US Open titles in succession between 2004 and 2008.
Wins in first 50 Grand Slam Hard-Court matches (Australian Open and US Open)
Of dominance and superstitions
“I try to play the best tennis I can,” said Sinner, who next faces 27th seed Denis Shapovalov in the third round.
“I’m very happy I managed those [first two] matches as best as I could. When you’re up two sets and a break I try to serve the best I can. I felt like we both didn’t serve great, but I returned very well, especially the second serve.
“I’m very happy about today. I’m obviously aiming to improve the serve, but honestly, the rest I feel quite comfortable,” Sinner added.
Most consecutive hard-court Grand Slam matches won
- 40 – Roger Federer (2005-08)
- 27 – Novak Djokovic (2011-12)
- 26 – Ivan Lendl (1985-88)
- 26 – Novak Djokovic (2015-16)
- 25 – John McEnroe (1979-82)
- 23 – Jannik Sinner (2024-25*)
Sinner also revealed that he loved to dabble between a few select restaurants when contending in the ‘Big Apple’.
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“I’m not superstitious, but I know some very good Italian places here. I have three or four restaurants where we switch around a little bit. I always have to go in the safe spots so I don’t have some problems the days after. New York provides great restaurants. The people are very nice,” he remarked.
More records in sight
Notably, Sinner is very much in the race to join an illustrious list of Open Era stars, should he maintain his spotless hard-court record over the fortnight. Sinner could emulate the likes of John McEnroe, Pat Rafter, Stefan Edberg and Federer, and join them with his fifth Slam victory at the Flushing Meadows and a second succession since claiming their respective first titles at the American Slam.
McEnroe won his first US Open in 1979 and backed it up with another in 1980. Edberg first lifted the title in 1991 and successfully defended it in 1992. Rafter emerged victorious at the US Open in 1997-98 before Federer began his five-year juggernaut in 2004.
