No. 1 Sinner reaches 1st grass-court final, to face Hurkacz in Halle
HALLE, Germany (AP) — Top-ranked Jannik Sinner reached his first grass-court final by beating Zhang Zhizhen 6-4, 7-6 (3) at the Halle Open on Saturday to set up a title match against Hubert Hurkacz.
Sinner saved a set point in the second set before jumping out to a quick lead in the tiebreaker. The Australian Open champion improved his record to 37-3 this year.
The Italian reached the Wimbledon semifinals last year, losing in straight sets to Novak Djokovic.
Hurkacz fired 17 aces in his 7-6 (2), 6-4 victory over second-seeded Alexander Zverev. The fifth-seeded Polish player saved all four break points he faced. It was his first victory over Zverev, ranked No. 4, in four tries.
Hurkacz, ranked No. 9, won Halle in 2022. That was his only other final on grass.
___
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
HEADLINES
- Sinner reclaims No. 1 ranking after beating Auger-Aliassime in Paris Masters final
- Early exit for Alcaraz against Norrie in 2nd round at Paris Masters
- Djokovic withdraws from Paris Masters after exhibition injury
- Sinner's decision to sit out Davis Cup Final 8 criticized in Italy
- Sinner won't play for Italy in Davis Cup Final 8; Alcaraz in for Spain