"Careful Jannik Sinner, this guy serves better than you" - Carlos Alcaraz hilariously warns Italian about his brother Alvaro during US Open practice
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner recently put their camaraderie on display while practicing alongside each other at the 2024 US Open. The Spaniard issued a hilarious warning to Sinner about his brother Alvaro's serving prowess, eliciting a laugh from the World No. 1.
Having survived the first round, Alcaraz and Sinner are both gearing up to continue their campaigns at the New York Major. The World No. 3, who is on the hunt for his third Grand Slam title of the season, kicked off his run with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 win over Li Tu.
Sinner, meanwhile, battled back from a set down against Mackenzie McDonald in his opening match, beating the American 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 to book his place in the second round at Flushing Meadows.
Carlos Alcaraz geared up for his second-round clash by taking part in a hitting session with a brother Alvaro. After being stunned by his brother's serve, the 21-year-old turned to Jannik Sinner, who was training on the neighboring court, and jokingly remarked that Alvaro had a better serve than the Italian.
"Careful Jannik that this guy (Alcaraz's brother, Alvaro) serves better than you," Carlos Alcaraz said with a laugh.
In his pre-tournament press conference at the US Open, Alcaraz also expressed his sympathy for Sinner's "difficult" ordeal with his doping controversy, disclosing that he trusted the independent tribunal's innocent verdict.
"Well, I believe in a clean sport. So I don't know too much about that. You know, I am pretty sure that there are a lot of things that we don't know, you know, inside the team or inside, you know, everything. But if they let Jannik to keep playing, is for something, they said he's innocent. So that's all I know and that's all I can talk about," Carlos Alcaraz said.
Carlos Alcaraz to lock horns with Botic van de Zandschulp in US Open 2R; Jannik Sinner faces Alex Michelsen
Carlos Alcaraz will continue his quest for his second US Open title against Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round of the New York Major. Van de Zandschulp defeated Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 to book his place against the third seed.
Alcaraz has triumphed in both his previous encounters against the Dutchman, claiming a 6-4, 6-2 victory in their most recent clash at the 2022 Swiss Indoors in Basel. If the Spaniard extends his perfect record against Van de Zandschulp, he will face Jack Draper or Facundo Diaz Acosta in the third round.
Jannik Sinner, meanwhile, will be up against home favorite Alex Michelsen, following the American's 6-1, 7-5, 6-3 win over compatriot Eliot Spizziri. The World No. 1 triumphed in their sole previous encounter at the recently concluded Cincinnati Open, beating Michelsen 6-4, 7-5.
Should Sinner triumph over the American once more, he will square off against the winner of the match between Christopher O'Connell and Mattia Bellucci, followed by a potential fourth-round clash against Tommy Paul.
If Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner both emerge victorious in their respective second-round encounters, they will remain on course for a blockbuster semifinal clash at the US Open.