Miami Open: Sinner storms into final with dominant win over Zverev

Jannik Sinner defeated Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6 to reach the Miami Open final. The Italian is aiming for the Sunshine Double after winning Indian Wells and will face Jiri Lehecka in Sunday’s title clash

Miami: World No. 2 Jannik Sinner stormed into the final of the Miami Open, the ATP Masters 1000 event, with another dominant victory over Alexander Zverev, continuing his surge towards a second successive title on the tour.

Sinner, who claimed his first Indian Wells title a few days ago, moved closer to another trophy by defeating Zverev 6-3, 7-6(4) on Friday evening. With this win, Sinner extended his record to 32 consecutive sets won at ATP Masters 1000 events.

---

In the final on Sunday, the Italian will face Czech player Jiri Lehecka, who defeated Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-2 to reach his maiden Masters 1000 final.

But the focus was on Sinner in the Miami Open semifinals, as he looked to take advantage of the early defeat of World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz to win the Miami Open title and close the gap at the top of the rankings.

The Italian was elated on reaching the final. “Coming here, trying to produce some good tennis, that was my main goal,” Sinner said after reaching his fourth championship match in Miami. “Standing here again, in the final, means very, very much to me.”

The second seed is now just one win away from becoming the first man since Roger Federer in 2017 to complete the ‘Sunshine Double’, lifting trophies in both Indian Wells and Miami.

Sinner has now won his past seven meetings against Zverev, including two this year, after also defeating the German in the semifinals at the BNP Paribas Open earlier this month. The Italian now leads 8-4 in their ATP head-to-head series.

The former World No. 1 had to save a break point in the third game of the opening set. But he responded immediately by stepping up his aggression and capitalising on a brief dip in Zverev’s first-serve effectiveness to earn a break with a forehand winner and take a 3-1 lead.

In the second set, Zverev increased his intensity and held firm at key moments, especially when he saved two break points at 4-4, 15/40. Yet Sinner remained composed, held serve consistently, and forced a tie-break. There, the momentum shifted in Sinner’s favour when he claimed a 5-4 lead after Zverev mishit an overhead, eventually giving the Italian the edge.

Sinner will enter Sunday’s final with a 3-0 lead in his rivalry with Lehecka, having won their latest match last year at Roland Garros in straight sets. Since he is not defending any ATP ranking points this year, Sinner can move within 1,540 points of World No. 1 Alcaraz with the title.