Jannik Sinner vs Yannik Hanfmann Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Sinner launches title defence in Halle

Sinner was involved in arguably one of the greatest Grand Slam finals in history just a couple of weeks ago, failing to capitalise on three championship points and a two-sets-to-love lead and going down to Carlos Alcaraz in a match tiebreak in the fifth. Those sorts of defeats have the potential to derail one's career, but from what we've seen of Sinner so far in his career, he has the mental capacity to bounce back straight away. In saying that, transitioning immediately to grass with a title to defend so soon after a demoralising loss could prove a tricky test.

I think Hanfmann can cover a +5.5 games line on the grass. The German is playing at home and has a strong serve, so that should help him hold enough times to avoid a one-sided defeat. Sinner has also failed to cover a -5.5 line in all eight of his main draw matches in Halle, losing sets to the likes of Tallon Griekspoor, Jan-Lennard Struff and Fabian Marozsan on his way to the title last year.

Sinner leads 2-0, with both matches coming at the slams. Hanfmann pushed Sinner in their most-recent clash at Wimbledon last year before the Italian prevailed in four sets, 63 64 36 63.

Sinner comes into this clash with an 18-2 record for the season that certainly hasn't been short of drama in more ways than one.

The Italian successfully defended his Australian Open title in January, but was then suspended for three months due to anti-doping violations.

Returning at the Rome Masters last month, Sinner advanced to the final before going down to Alcaraz - and that was just the prelude for what was ultimately one of the best Grand Slam finals of all time at Roland Garros a couple of weeks later.

Sinner and Alcaraz officially announced themselves as the next big rivalry in tennis, but it was the Spaniard who emerged triumphant in five sets, meaning Sinner has now lost the last five meetings between the pair.

The 23-year-old will be hoping for an immediate bounce back in Halle, where he won the title with a 7-6 7-6 victory over Hubert Hurkacz in last year's final.

It's been a hugely disappointing season for Hanfmann to date, with the German registering a 3-8 record at tour-level.

As a result, Hanfmann's ranking has dropped to 138 in the world coming into this contest.

Hanfmann has lost in the opening round in six of his last eight tour-level events, which means it's obviously not ideal to draw the World No. 1 in Halle.

However, Hanfmann has got some winning momentum under his belt lately, prevailing in seven of his last nine matches, qualifying for the French Open, Stuttgart and Halle in consecutive tournaments.

The 33-year-old has got used to the Halle conditions with straight set wins over Yoshihito Nishioka and Nicolas Jarry in qualifying over the weekend.