World number one Jannik Sinner showcased his grit and determination to advance to the quarterfinals of the Halle grass-court tournament on Thursday. Facing a tough opponent in Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan, Sinner battled through a grueling three-set match, ultimately securing victory with a score of 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3. The Italian star, known for his powerful serve, unleashed a staggering 17 aces during the encounter.
Sinner acknowledged the challenge presented by Marozsan, who has already achieved impressive victories against top players. “It’s the first time I’ve faced him. He’s already beaten incredible players, so I knew I had to play really, really good,” said Sinner. “The first couple of matches are never easy on a new surface. This grass is a little different to Wimbledon. Fabian is an incredible player. It was a tough match and I’m pleased to be in the quarters.”
Meanwhile, another exciting match unfolded as fifth seed and 2022 champion Hubert Hurkacz continued his strong run, overwhelming Australian James Duckworth with an impressive display of serving prowess. Hurkacz, known for his powerful deliveries, fired a barrage of aces past Duckworth, securing a 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 victory and a place in the quarterfinals.
The Halle Open witnessed a major upset as German veteran Jan-Lennard Struff delivered a stunning performance, sending sixth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas packing with a convincing 6-4, 6-4 triumph. The 34-year-old Struff, fueled by the passionate support of the home crowd, played with incredible energy and precision, overwhelming the Greek star.
“It’s very special,” said Struff, reflecting on his victory. “The crowd was supporting me like hell and it was just an amazing feeling, amazing atmosphere.”
Struff’s journey to the quarterfinals was a testament to his resilience. On Wednesday, he faced a match point against Luciano Darderi before eventually emerging victorious after needing 10 match points of his own to seal the deal. The following day, he maintained his momentum, hitting 22 winners against Tsitsipas while limiting his unforced errors to just five.
Struff’s encounter with Sinner in the quarterfinals promises to be a captivating matchup. The two players have faced each other twice previously this season, with Sinner emerging victorious on both occasions, at Indian Wells and Monte-Carlo.
