It’s a full schedule in Halle on Tuesday, headlined by world No. 1 Jannik Sinner taking on Tallon Griekspoor. Former Wimbledon finalist and recent Stuttgart runner-up Matteo Berrettini is facing talented American Alex Michelsen.
(1) Jannik Sinner vs. Tallon Griekspoor
Despite the fact that he didn’t walk away from Paris with the French Open title, Jannik Sinner is by far the best player of the year. The Italian is an impressive 33-3 on the season as he makes his 2024 grass-court debut at the Terra Wortmann Open. He will begin tournament against familiar opponent Tallon Griekspoor. The two men have played four times between last year and this one. Sinner dominates the head-to-head at 4-0, but several of their matches have been competitive–including a three-setter at the Miami Masters this spring.
Sinner is no grass-court specialist, but he was a 2023 Wimbledon semifinalist. It’s worth noting that the highest-ranked player he faced at the All-England Club last year before he lost in straights to Novak Djokovic was world No. 79 Quentin Halys. While grass is Sinner’s least successful surface, he is comfortable enough to manage Griekspoor.
Cheryl pick: Sinner in 2
Ricky pick: Sinner in 2
(SE) Matteo Berrettini vs. (Q) Alex Michelsen
Matteo Berrettini is attempting to keep the injuries in check as he continues another comeback. The Italian, who generally flourishes during the brief grass season, was healthy enough in Stuttgart to make the final–in which he lost a heartbreaker to Jack Draper. Berrettini is prepping for perhaps another deep run at the All-England Club, where he made the final back in 2021. Repeated injuries kept the current world No. 65 sidelined for most of 2023.
Berrettini will take on grass-court novice Alex Michelsen in his first match in Halle. The 19-year-old American is 4-3 lifetime on the surface, although he got a few matches in during qualies this week so he should at least have his legs under him. Michelsen is ranked 61st in the world right now. He has been limping along a bit this season with an 11-15 record and Tuesday’s match doesn’t promise to change his fortunes. Berrettini is always a force on a grass court and he has plenty of match play thanks to his run to the final in Stuttgart last week.
Cheryl pick: Berrettini in 2
Ricky pick: Berrettini in 2