World No.1 Jannik Sinner was shockingly defeated by Alexander Bublik in the Halle Open round of 16. Bublik's inspired performance ended Sinner's title defence and set up a quarter-final clash with Tomas Machac.

(Reuters) -World number one Jannik Sinner's bid to win back-to-back Halle Open titles was ended on Thursday following a 3-6 6-3 6-4 defeat by Alexander Bublik in the last 16, the top seed's first defeat to a player outside the Top 20 since 2023.

Bublik, currently ranked 45th in the world but been as high as No 17, ended Sinner's streak of wins since Cincinnati 2024, a period in which he had lost only to Alcaraz in Beijing, Rome and, in that incredible final at Roland Garros earlier this month.