US Open 2024: Jannik Sinner has to work his way out of another hole after the world number 1 survived the horror of the doping scandal

It was not the first time in recent months that Jannik Sinner found himself in a tight spot. It was not the first time that the Italian dug himself out in a hurry.

It has been a chaotic week for the world number one – and his sport – since it was revealed last Tuesday that he had escaped a doping offense despite failing two tests for a banned anabolic steroid.

He has parted ways with two of his team members. He has faced uncomfortable questions and accusations of special treatment – why was his case kept under wraps? And how could it be resolved so quickly? One rule for journeymen, another for the best player in the world – that is the view of several of Sinner's colleagues.

Well, for an hour, no one could accuse MacKenzie McDonald of giving the Italian an easy pass. During a set and a game of Sinner's return to the court, the American world number 140 was inspired. He kept breaking the world number one's serve and it briefly seemed as if he might break his resolve as well.

But Sinner had the answers. Just like when his anti-doping samples contained traces of clostebol in March. A few months after these positive tests, the 23-year-old could aim for a second Grand Slam in 2024 on Arthur Ashe. And on Tuesday he made it from the first round to the second round in an hour and a half. The result was 2-6 6-2 6-1 6-2.

The world number 1 recovered from a set and a break deficit and reached the second round in four sets

Sinner never made it past the quarter-finals here and his preparations for these two weeks took a turbulent turn.

He spent much of the summer in an atmosphere of uncertainty, worried that news of his failed tests would become public.

He was concerned about whether the International Tennis Integrity Agency would believe his argument that the negative consequences were due to a spray, a cut finger and a contaminated massage.

Last week he admitted that he too was unsure what impact his whole saga would have on his reputation as the best player in world tennis.

Well, it certainly marred the preparation for this tournament. And it also upset many of his colleagues. But it seems that the tennis public is rather forgiving. Perhaps they have been influenced by his protestations of innocence.

Or maybe Sinner got lucky with the schedule. Maybe if the game had been played at night and the Queens bartenders had sold a few more Honey Deuce cocktails, the fans would have been a little more hostile. We'll never know.

Sinner finally triumphed 2-6 6-2 6-1 6-2 over the world number 140 in Arthur Ashe Stadium

Arthur Ashe was barely half empty when Sinner emerged from the locker room Tuesday afternoon. If a few fans did boo, as clips on social media suggested, they were barely audible in the stadium – or distinguishable from the screaming and yelling.

It was just a shame for the world No. 1 that McDonald didn't show him such compassion. Sinner was immediately put on the defensive by the American, who forced five break points in the opening game before finally capitalizing on them. But he wasn't satisfied with that.

McDonald had break chances in each of Sinner's first five service games. Sinner was uncontrollable – making one unforced error after another – but the Italian was also dragged around the court by McDonald's great athleticism and touch at the net.

After a gliding passing shot, Sinner could only applaud. McDonald managed to break three times within 45 minutes on his way to winning the first set. The American then immediately turned the knife and broke Sinner's first service game in the second set.

The Italian world number one received a warm welcome despite his recent doping scandal

Sinner thanks fans after booking his place in the second round on Tuesday afternoon

Tennis matches at this level can so often come down to just a handful of points, and this first-round clash came down to seven deuces in the next game.

McDonald had the chance to extend his lead, but Sinner saved four game points. The world number one then missed three chances himself. McDonald paid the price for giving him a fourth chance.

From then on, Sinner stepped up a gear. After trailing 0-1, the Italian lost only two of the next 14 games and barely an hour after losing the first set he already had one foot in the second round.

Suddenly he found the lines and McDonald struggled to stay on every point. Suddenly Arthur Ashe's mood was sour – groans and sighs could be heard as McDonald got further and further from the surprise.

The only surprise? After the world number one broke early in the fourth set, McDonald won two more games before suffering a loss. Sinner will hope his next few days go more smoothly.