Jannik Sinner made history by defending his Australian Open title against Alexander Zverev in the men's singles final at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday. Sinner won the match 6-3, 7-6 (7-4),6-3. The World number one is now the first Italian player in history to win three Slam titles moving past Nicola Pietrangeli, who won back-to-back men’s titles at Roland Garros in 1959-60. Sinner had won the title last year after beating Daniil Medvedev in five sets.
This is also the first time the top two seeds have made the finale in Melbourne since Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal in 2019. Sinner is also the youngest man to win two consecutive trophies at Melbourne Park since Jim Courier in 1992 and 1993.
Sinner is now on a staggering 21-match win streak at the hard-court majors. The 23-year-old 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.
Sinner denies Zverev maiden Grand Slam title
Under the lights of Rod Laver Arena, Zverev's resolve seemed to waver after an unfortunate net cord shifted momentum in Sinner’s favor during the second-set tiebreak.
Sinner secured a crucial break in the sixth game of the third set when Alexander Zverev sent a forehand long. Zverev handed over match point with a wayward forehand that landed far wide, and Sinner sealed his victory with a perfectly executed backhand passing shot.
Celebrating his triumph, Sinner raised his arms in victory before climbing into the stands to embrace his team.
As for Zverev, his quest for a first Grand Slam title continues. Having finished runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz at last year’s French Open and losing to Dominic Thiem in the 2020 US Open final, the wait for that elusive major win goes on.
