Sinner continues to keep focus despite drugs test revelation

Throughout the past week, as Jannik Sinner has taken his first steps toward putting the revelation of his failed doping tests behind him, the Italian has repeated in almost every appearance that he is taking things match by match and day by day.

- Tumaini Carayol

He is endeavouring to focus only on the immediate task ahead, blocking out all else.

In the process, the No 1 continues to lay the foundations for a title challenge at the US Open. Yesterday, Sinner navigated a turbulent opening set against a tricky young opponent to reach the third round with a 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 win over Alex Michelsen.

Last week, Sinner announced his previously undisclosed case had concluded with an independent tribunal ruling that he bore no fault or negligence for the fact that the banned substance clostebol was detected in two anti-doping tests. A few days later, Sinner's US Open campaign had started with a minor scare as he trailed the American Mackenzie McDonald before recovering emphatically to reach the second round.

An even greater challenge seemed to await the Italian against Michelsen, a fast-rising 20-year-old. After reaching his third ATP final last week at the Winston Salem Open, the American is the youngest player inside the top 50 at a career high ranking of No 49.

In that final, which he lost to Lorenzo Sonego of Italy, Michelson smashed a ball into the crowd in anger, striking a spectator. According to the rules and the precedent set by similar incidents, he should have been defaulted. Instead, he was allowed to play on until the end.