It was 14:50 local time when Sinner finally served to get the match under way but there were still plenty of empty seats – especially in the upper tier – as spectators continued to try to make their way through security.

Every spectator has to go through an airport-style scanner outside of Ashe, meaning they have to empty pockets into a tray, go through a full-body scanner and be searched if the detector beeps.

At the change of ends after the third game of the opening set, an influx of people entered the stadium to take their seats but many were still left queueing outside.

Martina Navratilova, who won four of her 18 Grand Slam titles at the US Open, expressed sympathy for those stranded outside.

“Let’s spare a thought for the thousands of people waiting outside in the drizzle – it’s been raining on and off – and they’ve paid thousands of dollars for these tickets,” Navratilova said on Sky Sports.

“It’s not that he’s coming that’s the problem, it’s that they only made one entrance for the whole crowd.”