Jannik Sinner is back on the winning track, securing a victory in his first grass court match of the season at the Halle Open. Following his tough five-set defeat to Carlos Alcaraz at the Roland Garros final, Sinner received valuable advice from his coach, which seemed to pay off in his first-round match against Yannick Hanfmann.
Now, Sinner is set to face Alexander Bublik, a player he recently defeated in the Roland Garros quarter-finals. However, Sinner acknowledges that Bublik could pose a greater threat on grass. "He’s a very talented player," Sinner noted. "He likes or loves playing on grass, which is his favourite surface. He has won against me here and also won the tournament, so it will be a very difficult game."
Sinner emphasized the challenges Bublik's serve presents. "It will be a very interesting game. I think he serves really well, it will be incredibly difficult to break him. I have to stay very focused on my serve and then see what I can do. It will be a very exciting game, let’s see how it goes."
Both Sinner and Bublik are former champions in the Halle Open draw, adding extra anticipation to their upcoming match. Bublik's strong performance in the first round against Muller, coupled with his powerful serve, suggests he'll put up a strong fight. The bookmakers favor Sinner, but many expect a tighter contest than the odds suggest, with Bublik potentially covering the games handicap.
Shapovalov vs. Cobolli: Another Halle Open Match to Watch
Also in the Halle Open, Denis Shapovalov is set to face Flavio Cobolli. Shapovalov has struggled recently, losing three of his last five matches. Meanwhile, Cobolli has been in good form, winning four of his last five matches. He comes off of an upset victory over Fonseca in the opening round. Cobolli's recent performance suggests he could be a better player on match day, making a Cobolli win a potential value bet.
Key Match Details:
- Sinner vs. Bublik: Two former Halle Open champions clash.
- Shapovalov vs. Cobolli: A battle between experience and rising talent.
- Value Bets: Consider Bublik covering the games handicap and Cobolli winning outright.