Australian Wildcard Dane Sweeny Storms into US Open Last 32

Dane Sweeny’s unlikely US Open run reached another level when the Australian wildcard overwhelmed 14th seed Lorenzo Musetti and moved into the last 32.

Sweeny lost the opening set 6-3, then seized control by taking the next three 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. The 25-year-old, ranked more than 100 places below the world No. 14 Italian, produced the more forceful performance and repeatedly stretched the 185-centimeter Musetti around the court.

Musetti required a medical timeout after falling two breaks behind at 0-3 in the third set. He recovered one break but continued animatedly remonstrating with his courtside box. Sweeny, listed at 170 centimeters, kept attacking at the net and diving for acrobatic volleys despite wearing a large ice pack on his right elbow after his first-round victory.

The win guarantees Sweeny at least $290,000 and gives him a first opportunity to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam. He will face another Italian, world No. 22 Luciano Darderi, on Saturday in Australian Eastern Time.

Two other Australians lost in the second round. Tristan Schoolkate took the first set from fifth-seeded French Open runner-up Flavio Cobolli before losing 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-5. Alexei Popyrin won the opening set against 25th-seeded Alejandro Tabilo, but the Chilean prevailed 2-6, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3), 6-2. Australia’s sixth seed, Alex de Minaur, was due to play Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp.