Sinner battles past Hanfmann to reach Halle Open last 16

HALLE, Germany: Top seed Jannik Sinner made a winning return to grass as he defeated local wildcard Yannick Hanfmann 7-5, 6-3 to advance to the last 16 of the Halle Open on Tuesday. The world number one is aiming to defend his only career grasscourt title at the ATP 500 event.

Playing his first match since an exhausting French Open final loss to Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner looked sharp despite the tricky challenge posed by world number 138 Hanfmann. The German kept things tight in the opening set, but Sinner’s composure and tactical discipline proved decisive.

“I’m very happy. He is a great server and a great baseliner, so breaking him is very difficult on this surface,” said Sinner, who acknowledged the mental challenge of the match. “First matches are never easy on grass.”

The Italian will next face 2023 champion Alexander Bublik, who defeated him in Halle last year and recently met him in the Roland Garros quarter-finals. Sinner expects a lively encounter: “He’s a great player, a huge talent, and grass is his favourite surface. I can only expect the unexpected.”

With a rest day ahead, Sinner will look to regroup physically as he continues his quest for a second Halle title.(Reuters)