By Tony Fairbairn
- Jannik Sinner [1] def Alexander Zverev [2] 6-3 7-6(4) 6-3
- Jannik Sinner seeks further improvement as he successfully defended his Australian Open title
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Jannik Sinner became the eighth player in the Open Era to win his first three Grand Slam finals after defeating Alexander Zverev to win the Australian Open.
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Jannik Sinner [1] def Alexander Zverev [2] 6-3 7-6(4) 6-3
Jannik Sinner is the Australian Open champion for a second consecutive year! The Italian defeated Alexander Zverev in straight sets to claim his third Grand Slam title as he became the first player since Novak Djokovic in 2021 to defend his title in Melbourne. In the opening moments of the match, both players went toe-to-toe from the baseline as Zverev looked to make the rallies physical, taking advantage of the Italian’s physical limitations.
However, the world number one was aggressive and persistent as he took the match to Zverev and was rewarded with two break points in the fourth game. The German was quick to respond though as he increased the aggression of his own and approached the net in order to save the break points. The world number two searched for the break of his own but despite some long games on the Sinner serve, Zverev created no break points in the opening set.
That was the difference between the two players as Sinner continued to be aggressive and created more break points in the eighth game. On his fourth break point of the game, Sinner’s persistence paid off and the Italian closed out a relatively comfortable opening set with an ace to seal a love hold.
There was a sterner threat from Zverev in the second set as he continued to make the rallies more brutal, creating opportunities on the Sinner serve. After nailing a couple of smashes to save two break points in the third game, Zverev consistently went on the attack in order to trouble Sinner as he got to 30-30 on a couple of return games.
The Italian was quick to fend off the German’s pressure with some impactful serving and efficient power from the baseline. A frustrated Zverev reflected on what could have been as he lost an exhilarating rally at 30-30 in the 12th game as the Italian showed composure to force a second set tiebreak. In what was a rather crazy and chaotic tiebreak a lucky net cord winner added to Zverev’s woes with Sinner taking a 5-4 lead. The world number one made no mistake on serve with a two set lead being established.
A concerning look on the face of Zverev towards his coaching box became even more concerning as he was broke in the sixth game in the third set as he had seemingly run out of ideas. Sinner was all over the German, moving him from side-to-side in order to expose space on the court with the Italian hitting easy winners.
The world number two did ask Sinner the question as to whether he could successfully serve out a third Grand Slam title. Just like the rest of the match that appeared to be no problem as Sinner ended another long exchange with a backhand cross-court passing shot winner to become the king of Melbourne once again.
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Sinner aims to elevate level after defending title
Another incredible feat from Sinner as he successfully defended his Australian Open title with relative ease.
The Italian is the eighth player in Open Era history to win his first three Grand Slam finals as he proved why he is the dominant force in men’s tennis.
Speaking after the match Sinner admitted that winning it last year gave him belief that he could do it again this year.
“You know that you can do it because you’ve done it once,” Sinner told the Australian Open website.
“What I understood this time is every day is different, you have days where you might feel a bit not 100 per cent, and then the next match all of a sudden, ‘Okay, I’m into the tournament.’ How I handled every situation on the court, not only today in the final, but in general was very nice.”
It was an important tournament for Sinner as he looked to continue his incredible work from last year where he dominated the hard court scene.
Another aspect was wanting to do well as this was Darren Cahill’s last Australian Open as his coach before the Australian retires at the end of the season.
The Italian spoke about the influence Cahill has had on his career as he successfully defended his title.
“He’s a very honest, honest person,” Sinner told the ATP website.
“To be a good coach with many different players, you have to understand the player and you have to get into the rhythm of the player, what he likes, what he doesn’t like. It takes him just some weeks to get into that, and then he’s there.
“One thing I really love about him is because he’s very, very humble. He fits into the team very, very well. I tried also to make a good result for him here because being Australian, last Grand Slam as a coach. But I have to say we talk a lot about Darren, but it’s also the Simone part, which is amazing what he’s doing. He changed me as a player. He gave me so much confidence that I can do different stuff.”
Now Sinner aims for success on non-hard courts as he looks to conquer Roland Garros and Wimbledon next.
Speaking about his evolution, Sinner admits that he must improve if he wants to be a more versatile player.
“I can do better,” Sinner explained to the Australian Open website.
“It’s for sure one thing I always think about. You have to be a complete player, not only [on] one surface, but on also the other two. I take it as positive because on the other surfaces I still have to improve.
“I’m going to put a lot of energy in that, trying to find the right ways, and hopefully to go far also in the other Grand Slams who are not played on hard court. I’m still young and I think I have time to adjust, especially on grass court, because I never played the juniors.”
Zverev remains determined for Grand Slam goal despite defeat
It was yet again defeat for Zverev in a Grand Slam final as he has now lost his first three Grand Slam final.
The last two finals went to five sets but in this match he was completely dominated by a superior opponent.
Speaking after the match Zverev admitted that he was completely outplayed by the Italian.
“I didn’t stop fighting, I didn’t stop believing, but then in the third set I thought he outplayed me more than in the other sets,” Zverev told the Australian Open website.
“Jannik is better than me at the moment. It’s as simple as that. I think I serve better than Jannik, and everything else he does better. At the end of the day, he deserves to win. He’s the best player on hardcourts right now.”
It was an emotional day for Zverev who was dejected after losing to the world number one in straight sets.
However Zverev was consoled by the Italian before the trophy ceremony and spoke about what Sinner said to him.
“I was quite down; I was quite emotional also in that stage. I think he saw that. He said that I will definitely lift one of those trophies in my career and I’m too good not to – that’s his words.,” Zverev recalled to the Australian Open website.
“It was a little bit of a tough moment for me because I really went to that final, and also the preparation today, I really thought I had a very good chance because I was feeling good, I was feeling the ball quite well, I was feeling like I could compete.
“It was a difficult moment for me. now, for the third time, seeing somebody lift the trophy and me standing next to that is difficult because there’s nothing more I want than to be able to hold one of those trophies in my hands.”
Despite saying otherwise in his on-court speech, Zverev reassured everyone that he remains more determined than ever to get his hands on a Grand Slam title.
“I’m doing everything I can. I’m working as hard as I ever did. I think I’m doing all the right things off-court. I think I’m practising the right things, but I lost in straight sets today,” a dejected Zverev told the Australian Open website.
“I don’t want to end my career as the best player of all time to never win a Grand Slam, that’s for sure. I’ll keep doing everything I can to lift one of those trophies.”
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