Jannik Sinner went back-to-back in style on Sunday at the Australian Open.
The 23-year-old produced a typically assured display to sink Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3 and successfully defend his crown at the Melbourne major. Sinner offered no let up from the baseline and did not face a single break point throughout the two-hour, 42-minute encounter en route to becoming the first Italian to lift three Grand Slam trophies.
The No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Sinner expertly limited Zverev’s ability to attack from the baseline and was imperious behind serve in the first set, winning 85 per cent of points behind his first delivery, according to Infosys Stats. As a result, Zverev struggled to maintain rhythm in the contest, and the pressure mounted behind his usually sound serve, eventually falling to the sixth break point he faced.
Sinner and Zverev had won each of the three tie-breaks they contested en route to the final in Melbourne, but it was the defending champion who capitalised on a fortunate net cord at 4-4 to move within touching distance of a third major crown. In the third set, Sinner pulled clear with his breathtaking ballstriking as Zverev was left to rue the 12 unforced errors he hit while another major final slipped out of reach.
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