Struff upsets Tsitsipas in Halle, sets Sinner clash

Jan-Lennard Struff is playing some of his best tennis on home soil this week at the Terra Wortmann Open.

The German downed sixth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday, setting a quarter-final clash against Jannik Sinner, World No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings. The 34-year-old dropped just five points behind his first serve, according to Infosys ATP Stats, and drew errors from Tsitsipas' backhand to advance after 67 minutes.

“It’s very special. The crowd was supporting me like hell and it was just an amazing feeling, amazing atmosphere,” said Struff, who did not face a break point. “It means really a lot to finally take this step.”

One day after saving a match point to defeat Luciano Darderi, Struff struck 22 winners to just five unforced errors to overhaul the Greek and avenge last month’s Rome loss to Tsitsipas. Their Lexus ATP Head2Head series is now tied at 4-4. Struff is 0-2 against Sinner with both meetings coming this season (Indian Wells, Monte-Carlo).

“I was very happy. Yesterday was a tough match. I was sick before and today in the morning, I felt good," Struff said. "I had good connection with the ball straight away and came in very well. I was serving pretty good, playing aggressive style. Very, very pleased with the way I played.”

In 11 appearances at the grass ATP 500, Struff is into the last eight for the first time. The World No. 34 won his maiden tour-level crown this year in Munich, becoming the third-oldest (33) first-time ATP Tour titlist since the inception of the Tour in 1990.

Quarter-FINALLY! ?

At the 11th time of asking @Struffitennis hits his maiden QF in Halle@ATPHalle | #TerraWortmannOpen pic.twitter.com/h4rlQf6TeB

Tsitsipas holds a 29-11 season record, with his best result being a title run in Monte-Carlo. The 25-year-old was aiming for his first grass quarter-final since winning the ATP 250 in Mallorca two years ago.

Earlier in Halle, Marcos Giron overcame Matteo Berrettini 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, becoming the first player ranked outside the Top 50 to defeat the Italian on grass since No. 53 Gilles Simon at 2018 Wimbledon.

“He is unbelievable on grass, with every tournament he plays on grass he practically makes the final or wins it,” Giron said of Berrettini, who is now 41-10 on grass. “I knew it was going to be a challenge and I knew I had to take care of my serve and hopefully I get an opportunity. I stayed with extreme urgency and full focus.”

The American is into the Halle quarter-finals for the second time (2021). Giron ousted last year’s finalist Andrey Rublev in the opening round before improving to 2-0 against Berrettini.

Up to No. 46 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, two spots shy of his career-high, the 30-year-old next faces fifth seed Hubert Hurkacz, who ousted Australian James Duckworth 7-6(3), 6-4. The Pole, who won the ATP 500 in 2022, fired 17 aces and dropped just three points behind his first delivery Thursday.