By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday June 23, 2024
World No.1 Jannik Sinner powered past Hubert Hurkacz, winning the title in his first event as the ATP's No.1-ranked player.
Photo Source: TTV
(Not) Breaking news: world No.1 Jannik Sinner is playing like a world No.1.
The Italian marched through a tricky draw this week in Halle and claimed his first title on grass with a flawless 7-6(8), 7-6(2) victory over 2022 champion Hubert Hurkacz to become the eighth player in history to win his first event as the ATP’s top-ranked player (and the first since Andy Murray in 2016).
“It means a lot,” Sinner said. “It was a tough match against Hubi and I knew I had to serve really well. You play only a couple of really important points throughout the whole [match]. I tried to produce in the best possible way in the important moments.
“I’m very happy about this tournament – the first time on grass, winning, it’s a very good feeling.”
22-year-old becomes the 17th active ATP player to hold titles on all three surfaces and improves to 14-4 lifetime in ATP finals.
He was bulletproof on serve, winning 44 of 47 first-serve points and saving the only break point he faced. Hurkacz was flawless behind his serve as well, and saved all three break points he faced, but he could not match Sinner in the tiebreaks as the first Italian to ever win the Halle title improved to 3-2 lifetime against the Pole.
Sinner saved a set point at 7-6 in the first-set tiebreak and never looked back, converting his third set point to take the opener. In the second set tiebreak he was off to the races, winning six of the final seven points to claim victory in one hour and 51 minutes.
“Congrats to Jannik and the team,” Hurkacz said on court during the trophy ceremony. “You guys are doing an amazing job and it’s really inspiring what you have been doing in the last 12 months, becoming No.1 in the world. It’s really special and I try to learn from that as well.”
Hurkacz drops to 8-3 lifetime in ATP finals, but will rise to a career-high ranking of No.7 in the world with his trip to the final.