Jannik Sinner drops a set in a US Open win and then reminds folks that he's not a machine

NEW YORK (AP) — Jannik Sinner got broken for the first time in Week 1 of the U.S. Open. Dropped the opening set, even. Fell way behind in the third set, too.

“I’m not a machine, you know,” he said with the hint of a smile Saturday. “I also struggle, sometimes.”

Hmmm. Sure, Jannik, maybe so. Still, Sinner is the No. 1-ranked player in men's tennis and has won the past three Grand Slam tournaments played on hard courts, so no one was surprised when he set aside some lapses and emerged to beat No. 27 Denis Shapovalov 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 Saturday to take his title defense at Flushing Meadows to the fourth round.

“That I have pressure and tension is normal. I’ve had that for a year, and you need to handle it,” the Italian said. “Either you handle it — or you don’t. ... It’s better to have to deal with that than not.”

On Monday, Sinner will face No. 23 Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan for a place in the quarterfinals. Bublik beat No. 14 Tommy Paul of the United States 7-6 (5), 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-1 in a 3 1/2-hour match that ended at 1:16 a.m. Sunday.

Sinner's latest triumph stretched his hard-court unbeaten run at majors to 24 matches, covering championships at the U.S. Open in 2024 and the Australian Open in 2024 and 2025. He also won the trophy at Wimbledon on grass courts in July.

But Sinner's set streak in New York ended; he had claimed 14 in a row since dropping one in a victory against 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev in the quarterfinals a year ago.

Sinner explained that his serve did not feel quite right Saturday, and that Shapovalov was reading it well.

“I was able to put pressure on Jannik today,” Shapovalov said, “so who says that another player can’t do the same?”

Sinner double-faulted to close the opening set, which earlier featured a remarkable 30-stroke point in which both men hit drop shots. Sinner took that point by sprinting back to the baseline and twisting his body to deliver a lob winner that floated just out of Shapovalov's reach.

After rebounding to even the match at a set apiece, Sinner found himself trailing 3-0, love-30 in the third after Shapovalov grabbed 14 of 17 points.

“Key moment,” Sinner would say later.

From there, he took nine games in a row to seize control.

“We were going toe to toe. It was a very close match. A lot of games were very close,” said Shapovalov, a left-hander from Canada who was a Wimbledon semifinalist in 2021. “He’s No. 1 for a reason. He dealt with it really well. He fights extremely well. He did a tremendous job to turn it around down 3-0 in the third there.”

Jannik Sinner, of Italy, reacts after winning his match against Denis Shapovalov, of Canada, during the third round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Jannik Sinner, of Italy, reacts to a shot against Denis Shapovalov, of Canada, during the third round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Jannik Sinner, of Italy, returns a shot against Denis Shapovalov, of Canada, during the third round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Denis Shapovalov, of Canada, returns a shot against Jannik Sinner, of Italy, during the third round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Jannik Sinner, of Italy, returns a shot against Denis Shapovalov, of Canada, during the third round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said Wednesday that he hasn't heard anything from the NFL that would prevent Stefon Diggs from playing in Sunday's regular-season finale as the receiver faces strangulation and other criminal charges in connection with a dispute with his former private chef.

The Patriots voiced their support for Diggs in a statement Tuesday after the allegations became public. Vrabel echoed that support.

“We’ve made a statement and we’ve taken the allegations very seriously,” Vrabel said. "I don’t think we have to jump to any sort of conclusions right now. Let the process take its toll.”

Diggs didn't speak with reporters Wednesday as he has typically done throughout the season. But he was in the locker room prior to practice and on the practice field with the team.

The NFL issued a statement saying Diggs is eligible to play.

News of the charges against Diggs emerged after a court hearing Tuesday in Dedham, Massachusetts. Diggs is charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery.

According to police, the chef told investigators that Diggs hit her and tried to choke her during a discussion about money.

Diggs’ lawyer, David Meier, said in an emailed statement that Diggs “categorically denies these allegations.” Meier described the allegations as unsubstantiated and uncorroborated.

A court arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 23.

Vrabel said he didn't anticipate the situation being a distraction for his team. The Patriots are currently 13-3 and have already wrapped up their first AFC East title since 2019. With a victory against Miami on Sunday and a loss or tie by the Denver Broncos against the Chargers, New England would also secure the conference's top seed in the playoffs and a first-round bye.

“I think these are allegations. ... Things that we have to handle,” Vrabel said. "Every day there are distractions, some are smaller than others. I’m confident that we’ll focus on the Dolphins.”

Diggs, 32, joined New England before this season after a trade from Houston. He has been a standout player for the Patriots, leading the team with 82 catches and 970 yards receiving.

AP reporters Mike Casey in Boston, and Mark Scolforo in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania contributed.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) runs against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

FILE - New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) leaves the field following an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov 23, 2025, in Cincinnati, Ohio. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit, File)