NEW YORK — In his first match since avoiding a steroid suspension, Jannik Sinner began on upset alert.

The world’s top-ranked tennis star dropped the first set of Tuesday’s opening-round matchup against Mackie McDonald at the US Open before rolling to a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Sinner committed 14 unforced errors in that first set, compared to 15 total over the final three.

Ultimately, Sinner handled his business against the American, as was expected from the tournament’s top seed. But his initial appearance at this year’s tournament in Queens was notable for a much different reason.

Last week, the International Tennis Integrity Agency announced Sinner tested positive for steroids twice in March. He was not suspended, however, after the agency deemed that the banned substance, clostebol, entered his body unintentionally. Sinner won an appeal by contending his physiotherapist used an over-the-counter spray containing clostebol for a cut on his own finger, then gave Sinner a massage without gloves. Sinner said last week that he has since fired the physiotherapist, as well as the trainer who bought the spray.

Novak Djokovic is among the tennis stars who have raised questions about how to handle the situation.

The crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, however, was kind toward Sinner, opting not to heckle him during Tuesday’s win.

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