Halle: Italy’s Jannik Sinner made a nervy debut as the new world number one at the Halle Open in Germany. Playing his first grass-court match of the season, the top seed survived an opening-round scare, registering a come-for-behind win against Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 6-7 (8), 6-3, 6-2.
Sinner’s debut match as the new ATP world no.1 started didn’t begin as the Italian would have thought. The young star struggled to find his footing in the first hour in Halle, failing to convert two set points in the opening-set tie-break, and eventually losing the set 6-7.
He also faced a triple break point in the second set but overcame all the challenges eventually to progress to the second round.
Sinner produces magical moment
The match witnessed a magical moment during the second set. The tight contest between the two players went down the wire on a point when the Dutchman was just one point away from breaking Griekspoor’s serve.
The Australian Open champion earned his first break of the match with an unreal diving forehand winner that brought out a big smile from the top seed. Griekspoor’s forehand hit the net cord and Sinner despite being wrong-footed and two steps behind, quickly changed direction, connected the ball inches away from the grass and played a diving forehand to stun the tennis fans.
The smile says it all 😁@janniksin producing the unthinkable at Halle! 🤯
🎥: @TennisTVpic.twitter.com/Z6ih6FZoZh
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 18, 2024
“I was running a bit from right to left and then I just tried somehow to get to the ball, try to make him play at least one more extra ball,” Sinner said.
The newly-crowned world number one is aiming for his fourth trophy of 2024 and maiden grass-court title. He hit 15 aces and saved four break points, according to Infosys ATP Stats.
Sinner will next face Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan, who defeated Roman Safiullin 7-5, 4-6, 6-1.
Halle Open: The match witnessed a magical moment during the second set as Jannik Sinner registered a come-from-behind win against Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
