Halle Open 2024: Jannik Sinner beats Tallon Griekspoor in opening round, boosts Wimbledon preparation

Tennis star and world number one Jannik Sinner survived losing the first set to defeat Tallon Griekspoor at the ongoing Halle Open 2024. Notably, the Italian had to fight to win 7-6(8) 6-3 6-2 and guarantee his reign as the world No. 1 started off to a winning start. As he continues his Wimbledon training, he will take on Fabian Marozsan in the next round.

Although the two had never met on grass, they each contributed to a superb competition held inside while the German rain poured down. In a close first set, Griekspoor maintained service in the opening game of the match but was unable to convert a break point for a 2-0 lead. That would be the only break opportunity for either player. Raced into a 5-1 lead, Sinner looked poised to control the tiebreak, but he blew two opportunities to take the set as Griekspoor rattled off nine of 12 points to stun the Italians and take the lead.

Jannik Sinner achieved a four-point lead with a potentially game-winning shot to mark the win in first round

In the second, Griekspoor was right back on the offensive. Before Sinner's service was held, he was leading 0–30, and at 2-2 he had three break points. However, when the tide turned in his favour, Sinner produced some huge serves to hold. On his subsequent service game, Griekspoor saved the first break point but gave up a second with a double fault. Sinner then achieved a four-point lead with a potentially game-winning shot. In the final, the Italian easily prevailed over his opponent and demonstrated his might.

Thanks to some stunning ground strokes, he broke in the third game and again in the seventh to serve out the match. After firmly grasping onto love, Sinner skillfully ended the contest after two hours and twenty minutes of play. In another match, Marcus Giron upset expectations by defeating fourth-seeded and reigning champion Andrey Rublev 6-4, 7-6(5) in an hour and twenty-nine minutes.