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World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz began his grass-court season with a hard-working win at Queen’s while Jannik Sinner was made to work hard on his debut match as the World No. 1 in Halle on Tuesday, June 18. The two men, who are likely to be the contenders-in-chief at Wimbledon next month, will be looking to build on the good start and go the distance in Halle and London. <\/p>\n
Carlos Alcaraz defeated World No. 26 Francisco Cerundolo in the ATP 500 tournament in London. This was the 21-year-old’s first outing since winning the French Open earlier this month. Alcaraz was cruising toward a straight-set victory after sealing the opening set 6-1. However, his level dropped in the second set as he was trailing 2-5. <\/p>\n
Alcaraz then saved three set points when Cerundolo was serving for the set at 5-4. Alcaraz then found a new gear and won the match in straight sets. <\/p>\n
With the first-round win at Queen’s Alcaraz extended his uneaten run on grass court to 13 matches. Alcaraz won the Queen’s last year in a sensational run in which he dropped only one set. He then went on to win the Wimbledon crown, beating Novak Djokovic in the final. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, World No. 1 Jannik Sinner was taken to the distance by Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor. Sinner was looking like he would lose his first match on grass this season, but he bounced back from a set down to beat Griekspoor 6-7(8), 6-3, 6-2. <\/p>\n
Sinner, who has won the Australian Open and reached the final of the French Open this year, reflected on a mentally challenging match in the first round in Halle.<\/p>\n
“It was for sure mentally tough. I was 5-1 up in the tie-break in the first set. But this can happen, especially on this surface, it can go very, very fast. I think I was good mentally. I was struggling in the second set, 0\/40 down on my serve. If he makes that point, it is even more difficult,” Sinner said. <\/p>\n
“But it’s all about trying to get the confidence back, especially on this surface and I have shown that. Hopefully I can show some good tennis also in the next round.”<\/p>\n
Sinner reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon last year. <\/p>\n