Italian tennis legend says what Jannik Sinner did in his latest win at the US Open 'really made him laugh'

Jannik Sinner continued his march towards a second consecutive US Open title with a convincing fourth-round win.

After beating Vit Kopriva, Alexei Popyrin, and Denis Shapovalov, Sinner advanced to the last 16, where he met Alexander Bublik.

The talented Kazakh hadn’t dropped serve all tournament before playing Sinner, and many expected him to cause problems for the world number one.

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It wasn’t to be, however, as Sinner crushed Bublik 6-1, 6-1, 6-1, sending a clear message to his rivals in New York.

Reacting to Sinner’s latest win, an Italian ATP Tour legend explained why he was laughing after the match.

Adriano Panatta says watching Jannik Sinner teach Alexander Bublik ‘a lesson’ made him laugh

During the latest episode of ‘La Telefonata’, 1976 French Open champion Adriano Panatta gave his verdict on Sinner’s fourth-round win over Bublik.

“There was that other phenomenon, [Alexander] Bublik, who’s such a witty guy,” he said.

“Well, he had very little to laugh about because he got a huge wake-up call.

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“Jannik [Sinner] really slapped him. Sinner gave a great tennis lesson to someone who even hits underarm second serves, which really made me laugh.

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“It was a completely one-sided match; the Kazakh was helpless. I saw Sinner very focused and energized; there was no real match at all.

“This makes you understand the difference between a best-of-three match on grass in Halle and a best-of-five on hard courts at Flushing Meadows.”

Sinner had lost his previous match against Bublik at the 2025 Halle Open in three sets.

Getting his revenge in New York, Sinner now leads the head-to-head with Bublik 5-2.

Match Winner Loser Score 2025 US Open – 4R Jannik Sinner Alexander Bublik 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 2025 Halle Open – 2R Alexander Bublik Jannik Sinner 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 2025 French Open – QF Jannik Sinner Alexander Bublik 6-1, 7-5, 6-0 2023 Halle Open – QF Alexander Bublik Jannik Sinner 7-5, 2-0 (RET) 2023 Libema Open – 2R Jannik Sinner Alexander Bublik 6-4, 6-2 2021 Miami Open – QF Jannik Sinner Alexander Bublik 7-6, 6-4 2021 Dubai Tennis Championships – 2R Jannik Sinner Alexander Bublik 2-6, 7-6, 6-4 Jannik Sinner and Alexander Bublik’s head-to-head record

Sinner will now prepare to take on Lorenzo Musetti in the quarterfinals, who beat Jaume Munar in his previous match.

Commenting on Musetti’s win, Panatta claimed he didn’t even know who Munar was.

Photo by Rocco Spaziani/Archivio Spaziani/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images

“Lorenzo [Musetti] was so superior in everything that he never took a risk against an opponent whose name I honestly don’t even know,” he said.

Musetti may only have dropped four games against Munar, but perhaps more credit should be shown to the Spaniard, who has enjoyed a career-best year in 2025.

Sinner will likely enter the quarterfinals as the favorite, as he would do in a potential semifinal match against either Felix Auger-Aliassime or Alex de Minaur.

The Italian is now two matches away from reaching all four Grand Slam finals in a calendar year, a feat just two male players have accomplished in the 21st Century.

Players to have reached all four major finals in a calendar year since 2000

In the last 25 years, just two players have contested all four Grand Slam finals in a single year, both doing so on three occasions.

Switzerland’s Roger Federer played all four Grand Slam finals in 2006, 2007, and 2009, winning eight titles in total.

Roger Federer – 2006

Roger Federer – 2007

Roger Federer – 2009

When Novak Djokovic rose to the top of the men’s game, he won three of the four titles in 2015, 2021, and 2023.

Novak Djokovic – 2015

Novak Djokovic – 2021

Novak Djokovic – 2023

Sinner would no doubt love to add his name to the list, but will be more than aware of the challenges that lie ahead.

Pushing any thoughts about the final to the back of his mind, Sinner will first focus on his quarterfinal match with Musetti on Wednesday, September 3.

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