Clinical Sinner Surges Past Zverev To Retain Australian Open Title

Jannik Sinner won the Australian Open on Sunday, beating Alexander Zverev, cementing his position as the world’s top men’s tennis player.

The 23-year-old Italian came through a tense final between the two highest-ranked players 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 on Rod Laver Arena, raising his arms in the air and looking to the sky in celebration.

In doing so he became the first Italian, man or woman, to win three Grand Slams, surpassing Nicola Pietrangeli.

He became the only man to successfully defend their Melbourne Park titles this century, along with Roger Federer, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic.

But it proved more misery for Germany’s Zverev, who remains one of the world’s best players never to taste Grand Slam glory, falling short once again in his third big final.

“We worked a lot to be again in this position. Sinner referred to his coaching staff as “an amazing feeling that I can share this moment with all of you.”

He also offered Zverev some comforting words.

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“A tough day for you. You’re an amazing player. Keep believing in yourself because I think we, all the players, and the coaches, whoever is involved in the sport, know how strong you are, not only as a player, but also as a person.

” So keep it up. We all think you can lift one of these very, very soon, so keep working hard.

Ice-cool Sinner’s defense came against the backdrop of a continuing doping investigation after he twice tested positive for traces of the steroid clostebol last year, and it was a tower of mental strength once more in Australia.

The World Anti-Doping Agency is suing him for his exoneration, with the organization requesting a lengthy ban. He denies knowingly doping.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will hold a hearing in April.

He put all of his worries to rest and won his 19th career title, which would have extended his incredible winning streak to 21 matches.

” It sucks standing here next to this thing (trophy) and not being able to touch it, I’ll be honest, “said Zverev.

” But congratulations to Jannik. You more than deserve it. By far, you are the best player in the world.

“I was hoping that I could be more competitive today, but you’re just too good. It’s as simple as that”.

Sinner needed five sets to defeat Daniil Medvedev in his first Grand Slam last year, but this time it didn’t seem like it would go as well.

Zverev, the US Open champion, struggled to enter the competition after winning his first two service games with a statement ace.

The German fought back to avoid trouble by preventing two break points and remaining tied at 2-2.

In a game that went to deuce twice as the rallies grew, he began to find his radar, taking four points off the next Sinner serve.

Racing clear

However, in the eighth game, the dam finally burst.

Zverev was forced to score three break points in a 5-3 deficit after being defeated by a wild passing shot to take the lead.

Sinner won the set in 46 minutes as cracks appeared in the match’s opening.

The Italian raced 15-40 clear on the Zverev serve at 1-1 thanks to his incredible ability to convert recovery shots into momentum-changing ones.

Once more, the second seed dug deep to cling on.

They were unable to be separated from each other until a tiebreak, when Sinner scored a fortunate net cord that dribbled over to break for 5-4 and ran straight to a two-set lead.

Sinner has won 16 of his last 18 tiebreaks and all four of his previous ones in Melbourne.

Zverev smashed his racquet in frustration at the changeover, and it didn’t get any better in the third set, worn down by the relentless Italian.

Sinner broke for 4-2 when Zverev sent a long forehand, and the increasingly disillusioned 27-year-old had no choice but to turn things around.

Source: Channels TV