Playing as world No. 1 for the first time in his career, Jannik Sinner cemented his status as the best player on the planet by capturing the Terra Wortmann Open title on Sunday afternoon. Sinner scraped past Hubert Hurkacz 7-6(8), 7-6(2) after one hour and 49 minutes.
A showdown between good friends and Halle doubles partners progressed as pretty much everyone would have expected. There were zero breaks of serve in the entire match, which was decided by nothing more than tiebreakers. Hurkacz saved all three of the break points he faced, while Sinner fought off one.
The top-seeded Italian improved to 3-2 lifetime in the head-to-head series.
“It means a lot,” Sinner assured. “It was a tough match against Hubi. I knew I had to serve really well and you play only a couple of really important points throughout the whole set. So I was happy and I tried to produce in the best possible way in the important moments. I’m very happy about this tournament because [winning for] the first time on grass court, it’s a good feeling.”
At the Cinch Championships, Tommy Paul secured his first ATP 500 title with a 6-1, 7-6(8) victory over Lorenzo Musetti. Paul triumphed in one hour and 28 minutes.
The American, who will become his country’s top-ranked man on Monday, was cruising up a set and 5-4 before suddenly getting broken for the first time all afternoon. Musetti continued to raise his level in the ensuing tiebreaker, but the Italian could not hold onto a 4-1 lead. Paul saved one set point at 6-7 and went on to covert his third championship point at 9-8.
“Too nervy,” the world No. 13 said when asked how nervy it got while trying to serve out the match. “I definitely wanted to hold serve there at 5-4. And then that ‘breaker got crazy. He started picking up momentum and it definitely I’m really happy to get the win today.”
