SINNER, ALCARAZ IN SLIGHT WOBBLES

Osaka matches stunning outfit to shock 10th seed Ostapenko in emotional return to Big Apple

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Tennis' young stars Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are expected to progress far at the US Open but nothing is for certain, especially at a Grand Slam.

On Aug 27, the duo survived first-round wobbles to stay on course for a semi-final showdown, as two-time champion Naomi Osaka made a tearful and colourful return to Flushing Meadows.

World No. 1 Sinner fought back from a set and break down to defeat 140th-ranked Mackenzie McDonald in his first match since being embroiled in a doping test controversy.

Alcaraz, the third seed and 2022 champion in New York, overcame a second-set blip to defeat 186thranked qualifier Tu Li of Australia 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.

Italy's Sinner battled to a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 win over his American opponent on Arthur Ashe Stadium, racing away with 18 of the last 22 games.

The 23-year-old was returning to action just a week after it was revealed he had failed two drug tests in March. However, he escaped a lengthy ban when officials decided he was not at fault for the presence of banned anabolic agent clostebol in his system.