Jannik Sinner: ‘There’s nothing wrong with losing – but lose in the right way’

World No 6 arrives at the US Open on the back of his first Masters 1000 title and buoyed by how he matches up with Carlos Alcaraz

From the very beginning of the French Open this year, an opportunity was reserved for whoever had the courage to take it. While the tournament's perennial conqueror, Rafael Nadal, was absent, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz had been drawn into the top half. The bottom half, meanwhile, was wide open. Among the many contenders, Jannik Sinner, a youngster from South Tyrol in northern Italy, had a chance of producing the best fortnight of his career

But expectations can be crippling. Faced with increased pressure, Sinner crumbled. He went out in the second round, falling in five sets to Daniel Altmaier, who was the world No 79 at the time.