In the first round of the US Open hard court championship, Germany's Yannick Hanfmann is set to face Italy's Jannik Sinner. The smart money is on Sinner for the win with a handicap of -8 games.
31-year-old Yannick Hanfmann, currently in 54th place globally, comes into the tournament on a run of four consecutive losses. In Winston-Salem, Cincinnati, and Kitzbühel, Hanfmann fell in the first rounds to Cerundolo 6:7 (3:7), 7:5, 6:7 (4:7), McDonald 5:7, 1:6, and Rinderknech 6:7 (3:7), 3:6 respectively. In a previous Hamburg tournament, Hanfmann triumphed over Cerundolo with a score of 4:6, 6:2, 4:6, but lost the ensuing match to Zhang 6:4, 1:6, 4:6. The same pattern unfolded in Gstaad, where he initially overcame Altmaier 4:6, 6:2, 7:5, but was later overcome by Medvedev 3:6, 3:6. At Wimbledon, Hanfmann was defeated in the first round against Fritz 4:6, 6:2, 6:4, 5:7, 3:6.
Hanfmann displayed his capabilities in the Mallorca Open, reaching the semi-finals. On his way, he bested Kachanov 6:2, 6:1, Tsitsipas 6:4, 3:6, 6:2, and López 6:2, 6:4, before submitting to Mannarino 6:7 (4:7), 4:6. In Halle, Hanfmann conquered Vessels 6:4, 3:6, 6:3, only to fall against Rublev 6:7 (6:8), 3:6.
At the French Open, he advanced past the qualifiers defeating Bellucci and Kolar, however, was later overcome by Imer. Hanfmann claimed victory over Monteiro in the main draw, but his journey ended at the hands of Cerundolo. At Rome, Hanfmann demonstrated solid performance, reaching quarterfinals after overcoming players including Okleppo, Grenier, Harris, Fritz, and Rublev, before falling to Medvedev.
He also displayed good form at the Houston tournament in April, reaching the semi-finals.
21-year-old Jannik Sinner, currently ranked 6th worldwide, recently participated in the Cincinnati championship. Sinner entered the tournament from the second round and was defeated by Lajović with a scoreline of 4:6, 6:7 (4:7).
Previously, in Toronto, Sinner showcased an impressive performance securing the title. During the tournament, he claimed victories over Berrettini 6:4, 6:3, Murray (who withdrew), Monfils 6:4, 4:6, 6:3, Paul 6:4, 6:4 and De Minaur 6:4, 6:1. At Wimbledon he also had an impressive run, reaching the semi-finals. Throughout the competition he vanquished Cerundolo 6:2, 6:2, 6:2, Schwartzman 7:5, 6:1, 6:2, Galan 3:6, 6:2, 6:3, 6:4, Safiullin 6:4, 3:6, 6:2, 6:2, but ultimately was defeated by Djoković 3:6, 4:6, 6:7 (4:7).
Sinner also reached the quarterfinals in Halle, besting Gasquet 6:3, 5:7, 6:2, and Sonego 6:7 (4:7), 6:4, 6:4, but he was defeated by Bublik and retired from the match at 5:7, 0:2. In 's-Hertogenbosch, he overcame Bublik, but was beaten by Emil Ruusuvuori, and at the French Open, he decisively defeated Müller 6:1, 6:4, 6:1, only to lose to Altmaier in a tense struggle 7:6 (7:0), 6:7 (7:9), 6:1, 6:7 (4:7), 5:7.
This season, Sinner has also shown impressive results on hard courts, reaching finals in Rotterdam and Miami, as well as the semi-finals in Indian Wells and Monte Carlo. Sinner claimed victory on the indoor hard court in Montpellier earlier in the season.
The two athletes have never competed against each other previously.
Sinner is confidently performing on hard courts and secured the title at the Toronto tournament. Hanfmann, on the other hand, has been struggling for the last two months, and I suspect he will not be able to unsettle the consistent Sinner. My prediction is a victory for Sinner.
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