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.
He served 15 aces and saved all breakpoints faced.
Sinner now faces Hungarian Fabian Marozsan in the second round.