Sinner goes back-to-back! Italian sinks Zverev for Australian Open title

Jannik Sinner went back-to-back in style on Sunday at the Australian Open.

The 23-year-old produced a typically assured display to sink Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3 and successfully defend his crown at the Melbourne major. Sinner offered no let up from the baseline and did not face a single break point throughout the two-hour, 42-minute encounter en route to becoming the first Italian to lift three Grand Slam trophies.

"We worked a lot to be in this position and it is an amazing feeling to share this moment with all of you," Sinner said to his team. "I know a part of the team is at home and my family, but it is amazing to share these feelings with you. I know Darren [Cahill] it is probably your last Australian Open as a coach and I am very, very happy to share this trophy with you. Everything started a little bit when I changed my combination of coaches and physio, I am very happy to have you all here."

BACK TO BACK 🏆 🏆

Jannik Sinner shines down under and retains his title in Melbourne 🌟#AO2025 | #Sinner pic.twitter.com/FyLArsqClA

— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 26, 2025

Beneath the businesslike exterior of the World No. 1 there is an undeniable toughness. It is the same toughness that has come to the fore in the past 12 months, propelling Sinner to victory in each of the first three Grand Slam finals he has contested. The 23-year-old is the eighth player in the Open Era to achieve this feat.

After sweeping the Australian Open and US Open in 2024, Sinner is now on a staggering 21-match win streak at the hard-court majors. The Italian is the fifth player in the Open Era to win three consecutive hard-court Grand Slam tournaments, and the first since Novak Djokovic in 2015-16.

"It was an amazing performance from my side," Sinner said. "I felt like I was serving really well in the beginning and trying to get in the zone very fast. It was very high-quality from my side. Second set, I got a bit lucky, as we saw. All things considered, an amazing run again here in Australia. I'm extremely happy sharing this with the team, the family, and the people I love, it's amazing."

There were moments of brilliance from Zverev, who twice came within two points of taking second set, but the wait for his first Grand Slam title will continue. The World No. 2 was aiming to become the fifth German man to win a Grand Slam tournament, but was unable to gain a foothold in Sunday’s one-sided contest as he fell to 0-3 in major finals.

"It sucks standing next to this thing and not being able to touch it," Zverev said when stood by the winner’s trophy. "Congratulations to Jannik, you deserve it. You are the best player in the world by far. I was hoping that I could be more of a competitor today but you are just too good, it is as simple as that. Congratulations to you and your team, you really deserve it. You have done all the right things and there is nobody who deserves this trophy more."

The No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Sinner expertly limited Zverev’s ability to attack from the baseline and was imperious behind serve in the first set, winning 85 per cent of points behind his first delivery, according to Infosys Stats. As a result, Zverev struggled to maintain rhythm in the contest, and the pressure mounted behind his usually sound serve, eventually falling to the sixth break point he faced.

There was a look of worry on the faces of those in Sinner’s camp when the 23-year-old pulled up holding his upper left leg after stretching for a backhand in the seventh game of the second set. Yet the Italian shook off any signs of discomfort by outlasting Zverev in an epic 21-shot rally under pressure at 30/30 in the 12th game, in which he ran 81 metres before producing a backhand pass.

Sinner and Zverev had won each of the three tie-breaks they contested en route to the final in Melbourne, but it was the defending champion who capitalised on a fortunate net cord at 4/4 to move within touching distance of a third major crown. In the third set, Sinner pulled clear with his breathtaking ballstriking while Zverev was left to rue the 12 unforced errors he hit as another major final slipped out of reach.

"I want to thank my team," Zverev said. "We are trying to do the right work, I am just not good enough. It is as simple as that. I really appreciate what everyone has done for the past three years, back from my ankle injury to playing Grand Slam finals again. I really appreciate everything they have done and would not be here without them."