Sinner survives Halle scare in World No. 1 debut

Jannik Sinner survived a challenging debut match as World No. 1 at the Terra Wortmann Open Tuesday.

In his first grass-court match of the season, the top seed overcame an opening-round scare, rallying past Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 6-7(8), 6-3, 6-2. The Italian’s debut match as World No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings was on upset watch, though. Sinner struggled to find his footing the first hour in Halle, failing to convert two set points in the opening-set tie-break and later facing triple break point in the second set.

"It was for sure mentally tough," Sinner said in his on-court interview. "I was 5/1 up in the tie-break in the first set. But this can happen, especially on this surface, it can go very, very fast. I think I was good mentally. I was struggling in the second set, 0/40 down on my serve. If he makes that point, it is even more difficult.

"But it's all about trying to get the confidence back, especially on this surface and I have shown that. Hopefully I can show some good tennis also in the next round."

Despite jumping to a 5/1 lead in the first-set tie-break, Sinner was unable to hold off a late charge from Griekspoor, who fearlessly took returns early to win the topsy-turvy tie-break 10/8. Griekspoor, No. 27 in the PIF ATP Rankings, was aiming to build upon his grass-court pedigree, having won last year in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, where he reached the semi-finals last week.

The turning point for Sinner came on serve at 2-2 in the second set, when the 13-time tour-level titlist dug out of a 0/40 hole by winning five consecutive points. Sinner relied on hefty first serves to hold that game, which began with a slight delay due to the Italian’s delivery breaking the net centre strap, requiring attention from the grounds staff.

Sinner then earned his first break of the match with a sensational diving forehand passing shot that brought out a laugh from the Australian Open champion. Griekspoor’s forehand approach clipped the net cord and a wrongfooted Sinner quickly changed direction, narrowly connecting with the ball as he hit the grass.

“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. “He was under pressure with break point down and somehow I made it. Then after that, I gained confidence, breaking him for the first time."

Last year’s Nitto ATP Finals runner-up looked more comfortable as the match wore on, manoeuvring around the court freely and cleanly striking the ball to advance after two hours, 22 minutes. Aiming for his fourth trophy of 2024 and maiden grass-court title, Sinner struck 15 aces and saved all four break points faced, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

Sinner, who improved to 5-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Griekspoor, next faces Fabian Marozsan. The Hungarian defeated Roman Safiullin 7-5, 4-6, 6-1.

Also in Halle Tuesday action, American Marcos Giron upset last year’s finalist Andrey Rublev 6-4, 7-6(5) to earn his first Top 10 win of the season. Giron, No. 48 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, four spots shy of tying his career-high, avenged last month’s Rome loss to the fourth seed.

“It feels great. That’s why we play these matches, to play against the best players in the world. I’m pumped. I’m playing well on grass,” Giron said. “We had an absolute war in Rome this year, 7-5 in the third, I served for the match. I know I have the game to beat him, it’s just a matter of doing it and executing it.”

Defending champion Alexander Bublik advanced with a 7-6(1), 6-4 victory against Max Purcell and James Duckworth defeated #NextGenATP wild card Joao Fonseca 6-4, 6-4. Arthur Fils, last year’s Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF finalist, cruised past Tomas Machac 6-4, 6-4 in 70 minutes. Christopher Eubanks ousted Pedro Martinez 6-3, 6-4.