Published: 10:13, June 24, 2024
Sinner beats Hurkacz to win first title on grass at Halle Open
By Reuters
Italy's Jannik Sinner holds the winner's trophy after defeating Poland's Hubert Hurkacz (left) in a singles final match, in Halle, Germany, on June 23, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

HALLE - Italian world number one Jannik Sinner won his first grasscourt title by edging his doubles partner Hubert Hurkacz 7-6(8) 7-6(2) in the Halle Open final on Sunday.

The win marks the 22-year-old Australian Open champion's 14th singles career title.

Poland's Hurkacz and Sinner, who played together in the Halle Open doubles, each saved a break point in the first set, traded aces and held serve forcing a tiebreak which Sinner won.

Italy's Jannik Sinner returns a ball to Poland's Hubert Hurkacz during the men's singles final tennis match of the ATP 500 Halle Open tennis tournament in Halle, western Germany on June 23, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)

The top seed had a chance to go 2-0 up in the second set but Hurkacz saved two break points as both players again held their serves before Sinner claimed the title after another tiebreak.

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"It’s inspiring what you’ve been doing the last 12 months," Hurkacz told Sinner. "Jannik becoming number one in the world is really special. I try to learn from that. Big congrats."

Poland's Hubert Hurkacz serves the ball during his singles final match against Italy's Jannik Sinner, in Halle, Germany, on June 23, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

Sinner also congratulated fifth seed Hurkacz, who won the Halle Open in 2022, for reaching another final.

"We’re very good friends off court ... seeing us play the final here is very special. Thank you so much," he said.

READ MORE: Sinner survives Struff test to reach Halle Open semis

Sinner is preparing for Wimbledon, where he reached the semi-finals last year. The major tournament starts on July 1.