Sinner eases past Griekspoor in Halle Open first game

World number 1 Jannik Sinner has advanced to the second round of the Halle Open as he battled past Tallon Griekspoor 6-7(8), 6-3, 6-2 from a set down in a tense opening match.

The Italian was playing his first grass-court match of the season as he overcame a shaky start to secure victory in style.

Italian, Sinner, struggled early in the game, failing to convert set points in the first-set tie-break and facing break points in the second.

A turning point however came at 2-2 in the second set, where Sinner saved a break and unleashed a diving forehand passing shot that sparked his comeback.

“It was for sure mentally tough, 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,” Sinner told WTA.com.

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“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,” said Sinner.

It took the Australian Open winner two hours and 22 minutes to gain victory.

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He served 15 aces and saved all breakpoints faced.

Sinner now faces Hungarian Fabian Marozsan in the second round.