World No. 1 Jannik Sinner claimed his second consecutive Australian Open title and his third Grand Slam overall after defeating Alexander Zverev in a commanding performance. This victory further established Sinner’s dominance in men’s tennis, as he became only the eighth player in the Open era (since 1968) to win his first three Grand Slam finals, triumphing with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 in Melbourne on Sunday.
Since his last defeat on hard courts at a major tournament—where Zverev defeated him in the fourth round of the 2023 US Open—Sinner has been in phenomenal form, having previously won his first Australian Open title last year and then adding a win in New York. His current streak marks his 21st victory in a row on hard courts at Grand Slams, highlighting his incredible ability to perform under pressure.
Zverev, who was in search of his first major title, faced an uphill battle against Sinner, who displayed the skills and mental fortitude that have made him a virtually unbeatable force on this surface. While Zverev started strong, landing 81 percent of his first serves in the opening set, he still found himself in precarious situations, facing six break points. An ill-timed decision to charge the net during a critical moment led to him losing the eighth game, further tilting the match in Sinner’s favor.
Throughout the match, Zverev struggled to handle Sinner’s extraordinary shot-making abilities, especially when forced to defend. In the second set, Zverev, benefiting from a walkover in the semi-finals against Novak Djokovic, attempted to shift the momentum but ultimately fell short. Sinner showcased remarkable resolve, battling back from 0-30 in the 10th game and energizing the crowd with a breathtaking rally that culminated in a winner, as he celebrated quietly with a clenched fist.
The audience witnessed a hard-fought baseline battle devoid of much emotion from either player, making it tough for the spectators to fully engage. Zverev needed to secure the second-set tie-break to keep hope alive but was left frustrated when a crucial Sinner shot slipped over the net at 4-4, granting Sinner the advantage. The Italian clinched the set shortly after, leading to Zverev’s visible dismay as he slammed his racket in frustration.
In a stark contrast to his previous final against Daniil Medvedev where he rallied from two sets down, Zverev was unable to find his footing in this match. Sinner’s break of serve at 2-3 in the third set sealed Zverev’s fate. The match culminated with Zverev misfiring during a match point, allowing Sinner to cap off his victory with a decisive backhand passing shot.
In a triumphant moment, Sinner raised his arms in celebration and joined his supporters in the stands. Meanwhile, Zverev’s pursuit of a Grand Slam title continues after previous disappointments, including a runner-up finish to Carlos Alcaraz at the 2022 French Open and a loss to Dominic Thiem in the 2020 US Open final.
Following the match, Zverev appeared visibly emotional, and Sinner was seen offering words of comfort to his opponent during the trophy presentation. However, the atmosphere took a tense turn when a spectator shouted a remark related to Zverev’s past allegations of domestic abuse from two former partners, claims that Zverev has consistently denied.
In June of last year, Zverev’s lawyers confirmed that they reached a settlement with Brenda Patea, the mother of his child, after she accused him of physical abuse, and a German court subsequently closed the case. The ATP also concluded its investigation into allegations made by another ex-girlfriend, tennis player Olga Sharypova, citing insufficient evidence. The heckling shocked Zverev, leading to a mixed reaction from the crowd, as some booed the woman for her outburst.
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