Jannik Sinner continues Alexander Zverev domination, reaches Miami final

Match Report

Sinner continues Zverev domination, reaches Miami final

World No. 2 will face Lehecka in Sunday’s championship match

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Jannik Sinner is into the final in Miami. By ATP Staff

Jannik Sinner is on the verge of ATP Masters 1000 glory in Miami.

The No. 2 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, who just claimed his first Indian Wells trophy, is now one victory from the Miami Open presented by Itau crowd after defeating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6(4) Friday evening. Sinner extended his record to 32 consecutive sets won at ATP Masters 1000 events.

"Coming here, trying to produce some good tennis, that was my main goal," Sinner said after marching into 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 triumph away from becoming the first man since Roger Federer in 2017 to complete the ‘Sunshine Double’ — lifting a trophy in both Indian Wells and Miami — and will face Jiri Lehecka in Sunday’s title showdown. Lehecka earlier defeated Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-2 to reach his maiden Masters 1000 final.

Sinner has now won his past seven meetings against Zverev, including two this year, after the 24-year-old also defeated the German in the semi-finals at the BNP Paribas Open earlier this month. The Italian now leads 8-4 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

"Today has been a tough encounter," Sinner said. "He played some incredible tennis, so I was serving very well in the end, especially in the crucial moments. I am very happy and it means a lot to me."

Sinner 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 booming forehand winner and take a 3-1 lead.

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

Sinner’s serving underpinned his control throughout. He won 79 per cent (45/57) of his first-serve points and struck 15 aces to Zverev’s five. The Italian also showcased resilience under pressure, saving both break points he faced while converting on one of his four break opportunities.

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

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