Australian Open: Jannik Sinner wins second consecutive title with victory against Alexander Zverev in Melbourne

Jannik Sinner cemented his current stranglehold on men's tennis as he sealed a second consecutive Australian Open title with victory against Alexander Zverev.

The Italian world No 1 became just the eighth player in the Open era (since 1968) to win the first three Grand Slam men's singles finals he has contested with a 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 success in Melbourne on Sunday.

Sinner has not lost a match on hard courts at a major since a defeat by Zverev in the fourth round of the US Open in 2023, following up his maiden title here last year by winning in New York.

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A repeat of Zverev's victory in 2023 never looked on the cards, with Sinner showcasing all the qualities that have made him virtually untouchable on the surface.

As well as a 21st-consecutive hard-court win at Grand Slams, it also extended his current career-best winning run at all levels to 21 matches dating back to a final loss in Beijing in early October, while he has won 47 of his first 50 matches as world No 1, equalling the ATP record.

After his final backhand flew past Zverev, Sinner - who continues to put the uncertainty over his ongoing doping case to the back of his mind - thrust his arms into the air in triumph.

The defeat means Zverev's search for a first major title goes on, with the German now having lost finals in New York, Paris and Melbourne.

The other two were five-set battles he might have won but he was under pressure from the start here thanks to his opponent's relentless ball-striking and superb movement.

Sinner praised Zverev, saying: "First of all I would like to start with Sascha, a tough day for you and your whole team.

"You're an amazing player, keep believing in yourself. Whoever is involved in this sport knows how strong you are. We all believe you can lift one of these very soon."

The Italian then addressed his team, including coaches Simone Vagnozzi and Australian Darren Cahill, who is set to retire at the end of the season and was in tears.

The 23-year-old said: "Talking about my team, what can I say? We worked a lot to be again in this position, it's an amazing feeling to share this moment with all of you.

"I know Darren, maybe I try to convince you to carry on, but it's your last Australian Open as a coach and I'm very happy to share this trophy with you.

"Everything started a little bit when I made my whole change. I think you are an amazing combination of coaches."

How Sinner successfully defended his title...

Zverev landed 81 per cent of his first serves in the opening set but still faced six break points and, on the last of them in the eighth game, an ill-advised foray to the net proved his undoing.

Sinner's ability to not just retrieve balls but fire winners while on the stretch is extraordinary and he soon had Zverev under pressure in the second set as well.

But this time the second seed, who had benefited from Novak Djokovic's retirement after one set of their semi-final, repelled the threat and began to find some success on the front foot.

Sinner dug himself out of a hole at 0-30 in the 10th game and then had the crowd on their feet by winning an amazing back-and-forth rally at 30-30 in his next service game, finally sending a winner past Zverev and standing with fist clenched in quiet celebration.

Neither man shows much emotion on court and this baseline slugging match was largely a difficult one for the crowd to get into.

Zverev needed to win the second set tie-break to insert some jeopardy into proceedings but he was left cursing his luck when a Sinner shot dropped off the top of the net at 4-4 for a winner.

Moments later, a forehand from the Italian landed on the outside of the line to seal the set and Zverev slammed his racket angrily onto his bag in response.

Sinner had been two sets down to Daniil Medvedev in the final last year before fighting back but his opponent could find no way into the contest and another break of serve at 2-3 was the final nail in his coffin.

Zverev gave up match point with a forehand that fell well wide of the line before Sinner sealed the win with a backhand passing shot.

He raised his arms in triumph and clambered into the terraces to embrace his entourage.

For Zverev, the wait for a maiden Grand Slam title will go on after finishing runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz at last year's French Open and having been beaten by Dominic Thiem in the 2020 US Open.

The German was emotional after another painful loss, with Sinner seen comforting his rival ahead of the trophy ceremony.

Sinner: If I knew I was guilty, I would not play like this

Sinner's run to Melbourne glory has come while a long-standing doping case stemming from failed drug tests last March hangs over his head.

Although cleared to play by tennis's integrity authority, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is seeking a ban of up to two years for the Italian at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with the hearing set for April.

Sinner said if he knew he were guilty of intentionally doping, he would not be able to play like he did in Melbourne.

"I keep playing like this because I have a clear mind on what happened. If I knew I was guilty, I would not play like this, and that's it," he said during his press conference. "I still believe every time it came out in a very positive way, and I still believe it's going to be that case.

"At the moment I'm not thinking about this. Of course, you have your moments on certain days where you feel like, 'I wish I would not have this problem'. In another other way, I'm looking forward to go to court."

Zverev heckled before giving speech

After the second seed collected the runners-up plate, a spectator could be heard loudly shouting out, apparently in reference to the two former partners of Zverev who have accused him of domestic abuse. Zverev denies the allegations.

In June last year, Zverev's lawyers said he had agreed a settlement after the mother of his child, Brenda Patea, accused him of physical abuse and a German court closed the case. Zverev repeatedly rejected the allegations by Patea.

In January 2023, the ATP, citing insufficient evidence, closed an investigation that was launched after another ex-girlfriend, tennis player Olga Sharypova, accused Zverev of domestic abuse.

Zverev looked shocked when the heckling occurred, while the woman was booed by some other members of the crowd.

"Wow," he said, before commencing his speech. "First of all, it sucks standing here next to this thing and not being able to touch it.

"Congratulations Jannik, you're the best player in the world by far. I was hoping I could be more of a competitor today but you're just too good.

"We're trying to do all the right work, I'm just not good enough - it's as simple as that."

Speaking at his press conference, Zverev was asked for his reaction to the interruption on court.

"I believe there are no more accusations," Zverev responded. "There haven't been for - what? - nine months now. Good for her. I think she was the only one in the stadium who believed anything in that moment. If that's the case, good for her.

"I think I've done everything I can, and I'm not about to open that subject again."

Tale of the Tape

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Social media reaction

Henman: Baseline rallies swung the pendulum towards Sinner

Former British No 1 Tim Henman, speaking on Eurosport:

"The question mark was how much Zverev was prepared to take the bull by the horns and take a few more risks.

"They got into so many baseline exchanges because they both serve and return well and I think when they did that the pendulum just swings towards Sinner. He's the one able to dominate.

"Zverev was trying his absolute hardest, it's a Grand Slam final, but it's a frustrating loss for him as much as it's great for Sinner.

"He had to make Sinner work at the end and in the end was very passive.

"Sinner's serve was always a work in progress but it was very good."

McEnroe: Zverev appeared flat as a pancake

Tennis legend John McEnroe, speaking on Eurosport:

"Sinner's definitely by far the best player on hard court. I'm not sure you give him that on clay or grass, he's a work in progress and still young.

"I don't know what happened to Zverev. He had no energy and was flat as a pancake.

"Physically, he looked weary. He only played one set in five days, I don't know what went on.

"He looked like the guy who was sick or had cramp recently, not Sinner."

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