Everything is ready forassault to Wimbledon. First tournament since number 1 in the worldnew title on the board: as only a few have managed to do in the history of tennis. Jannik Sinner completes the work and wins the prestigious one ATP 500 in Halle overcoming his Polish rival-friend in the final Hubert Hurkacz with the score 7-6 7-6. The pre-Wimbledon German event represents the first success on surface green, the fourth of 2024, the fourteenth of his career. Sinner also becomes the fourth Italian tennis player to lift a trophy on all surfaces after Andreas Seppi (between 2007 and 2012), Lorenzo Sonego (between 2019 and 2021) e Matteo Berrettini (between 2018 and 2022). Another five hundred points that further strengthen the leadership of the South Tyrolean in the ranking. Now Sinner is at 9,890 points, 1,500 more than Novak Djokovic.
The business card for Wimbledon – The title in Germany is the best possible calling card ahead of Wimbledon. There trust It couldn’t be higher. In the past the Halle-Wimbledon pairing has often taken place. All thanks to Roger Federer. The Swiss achieved the double five times out of eight victories Championships. The first time on grass is the final exam that was missing. After a Slam quarter-final and a semi-final in the last two seasons, Sinner is truly ready to take on Wimbledon. And it’s not just a question of rankings or dominance in recent months. Now there confidence on the green surface it is total, and the technical and physical skills are enhanced in every aspect. Sinner is the eighth tennis player to win the first tournament played as number 1 in the ranking. Great name stuff: Andy Murray (ATP Finals 2016), Novak Djokovic (Montreal 2011), Pete Sampras (Hong Kong 1993), Stefan Edberg (Long Island 1990), Mats Wilander (Palermo 1988), Bjorn Borg (Monte Carlo 1979) and Jimmy Connors (Indianapolis 1974).
First set drawn – Sinner starts off great aggression, especially in response. In fact, it is her first break point of the match, already at 1-1. The Pole saves with an excellent first shot, shakes himself and then creates one himself chance to break the balance in the next game. However, the blue also saves himself with a great forehand, before making the serve count. An isolated one-two, in the middle of a first set characterized by turns of serve. The tie-break it is therefore a foregone conclusion. Here the first attack goes to the world number 1, who recovers shortly afterwards to make it 2-1. The blue keeps the aggression high in response and so a new one arrives mini-breaks. Hurkacz’s forehand ends up wide. Sinner rises up to 5-2, before suffering the Pole’s comeback. He still manages to earn a set point at 6-5; Hurkacz cancels it with a great first and then he has the chance to close the set. Sinner insists and builds two more set-points. On the first Hurkacz says no, but on the second his reverse ends under the tape: 7-6 Sinner. Ten points to eight.
Inertia for Jan, but new tie-break – The first set suffered some impact. Two break points for Sinner, canceled out by Hurkacz with one volley and the service. From here on, theequilibrium with continuous service it becomes the norm. The blue shows that he has taken the initiative of the team exchanges, but he is no longer able to create useful chances for himself. A trend that doesn’t break down even in the hottest phases of the set, and so, here’s a new tie-break. This time too Sinner takes the mini-break first. Hurkacz’s forehand is out: 2-1. The advantage it is consolidated without worries, and then comes a new extension with a backhand down the line: 5-1 for the blue. The game is now sealed. Sinner wins four consecutive match points and closes everything with the first one. Hurkacz’s recovery ends in a long time. Sinner seems more and more invincible.
