Jannik Sinner reaches US Open 3rd round; 2 top-20 seeds fall

NEW YORK -- Jannik Sinner surged into the third round of the US Open on Thursday, beating Alex Michelsen 6-4, 6-0, 6-2.

The No. 1-ranked Sinner dropped the first set in his opening match in New York but didn't encounter much trouble facing his second straight American on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Italian earned his 50th victory of the season, including his ATP Tour-leading 30th on hard courts.

"I always love New York; it's a very special place, every match is different, has its own story, so I'm very happy," Sinner said after the win.

Sinner beat Michelsen for the second time this month, having also won a second-round match in Cincinnati shortly before it was revealed that he tested positive twice for an anabolic steroid in March.

"Very happy to be through against a very tough opponent," Sinner said. "We played each other in Cincinnati ... so I knew a little bit what to expect. I think also he knew a little bit what to expect."

No. 7 seed Hubert Hurkacz was eliminated in straight sets by Australia's Jordan Thompson , the sixth straight year Hurkacz has lost in the second round at Flushing Meadows.

Thompson faces Italian 30th seed Matteo Arnaldi in the third round.

No. 16 Sebastian Korda , who struggled throughout with a right elbow injury, was knocked out by Tomas Machac 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.

Nuno Borges defeated Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-4, 7-5, 7-5 to become the second Portuguese man in the Open era to reach the third round in New York, joining João Sousa who reached that stage three times (2013, 2016 and 2018).

ESPN Stats & Information, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.