World No. 1 Jannik Sinner reaffirmed his status as the best player in men’s tennis by clinching his second consecutive Australian Open title with a commanding straight-sets victory over Alexander Zverev.
The 23-year-old Italian, seeded first, displayed his trademark composure and relentless power to defeat the German second seed 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 in a final that underscored his dominance on the court.
Despite facing an ongoing doping case, which has cast a shadow over his remarkable achievements, Sinner has remained laser-focused. His triumph in Melbourne marks his third Grand Slam title, further cementing his place at the top of the sport.
The decisive moment came as Sinner coolly struck a cross-court winner on his first championship point. With arms raised in quiet celebration, he walked over to share the moment with his team, a reflection of his composed and measured approach throughout the tournament.
Sinner’s victory was a masterclass in baseline dominance, physical prowess, and mental resilience. Zverev, despite his efforts, found no answers to Sinner’s precision and power. The German’s frustration mounted as he struggled to make a breakthrough.
The loss was particularly bitter for the 27-year-old Zverev, who has now fallen short in all three of his Grand Slam finals, following defeats at the 2020 US Open and the 2024 French Open. Dejected, Zverev slumped into his chair and buried his face in a towel, later admitting, “It sucks standing next to this trophy. I was hoping to be more competitive, but Jannik was just too good—plain and simple.”
Sinner’s dominance in Melbourne is a continuation of an extraordinary run that saw him collect two Grand Slam titles, six additional ATP trophies, and lead Italy to Davis Cup glory last year, with an impressive 73-6 match record.
What makes his performance even more remarkable is the backdrop of his ongoing doping case. In August, it was revealed that Sinner had tested positive for clostebol, a banned substance, sending shockwaves through the tennis world.
Despite the controversy, Sinner has used the court as his refuge. His mental fortitude has been pivotal, allowing him to block out the noise and focus on his game. “Isolation” has been his coping strategy, though his coach, Darren Cahill, noted that even Sinner is not “bulletproof.”
Still, Sinner has proven nearly unshakable. Throughout the tournament, he cruised past opponents with ease, facing his toughest challenge in the hot and humid conditions against Holger Rune in the fourth round.
Against Zverev, Sinner’s dominance was absolute. He didn’t face a single break point and sealed his championship point with a tactical masterstroke—a perfectly placed drop shot followed by a blistering backhand pass.
In stark contrast to last year’s epic comeback against Daniil Medvedev, Sinner’s dismantling of Zverev was clinical and ruthless. With this victory, Sinner has once again solidified his place as the dominant force in tennis, poised to continue his extraordinary journey at the pinnacle of the sport.
SOURCE: BBC
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