Dominant Jannik Sinner wins Australian Open again as Alexander Zverev ‘not good enough’ - live
Sinner won his second Australian Open with a 6-3 7-6 (4) 6-3 victory to deny Zverev his grand slam title
Jannik Sinner defeated Alexander Zverev to win the Australian Open for the second year in a row, as the World No 1 added a third grand slam singles title with a 6-3 7-6 6-3 victory to deny the German his first major.
Sinner, 23, produced a dominant display to defend his crown in Melbourne, claiming a 21st consecutive win at the hard-court grand slams after winning both the Australian Open and US Open last season.
Zverev now has three defeats in his three appearances in grand slam finals. The 27-year-old second seed could not hide his frustration as Sinner won the crucial second-set tiebreak, with the Italian earning a fortunate net-cord on 4-4.
Once firmly ahead, Sinner pressed home his advantage. His serving was meticulous and Sinner did not face a single break point as he closed out a ruthless victory to become the first Italian to win three grand slam singles titles.
“Congratulations to Jannik, you deserve it,” Zverev said. “You are the best player in the world by far. I was hoping to be more competitive today but you are too good, it’s as simple as that.” A despondent Zverev also questioned if he was “good enough” to win a first grand slam.
Follow the latest updates from the Australian Open final in our live blog below:
Alexander Zverev speaks after Australian Open final defeat
Zverev turns to his team and thanks them for their work.
“We are trying to do all the right work, I’m just not good enough,” Zverev says. “It’s as simple as that.
“But I appreciate what everyone has done, back from my ankle injury to World No 2 and playing grand slam finals again.”
Alexander Zverev speaks after Australian Open final defeat
Strange moment as Zverev pauses before speaking, due to a screaming heckler in the crowd. Not sure what was going on.
“First of all, it sucks standing here next to this and not being able to touch it. But congratulations to Jannik, you deserve it, you are the best player in the world by far. I was hoping to be more competitive today but you are too good, it’s as simple as that. You have done all the right things, all the right work, and nobody deserves this title more.”
Classy words from Zverev in defeat.
JANNIK SINNER WINS AUSTRALIAN OPEN
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Jannik Sinner 6-3 7-6 6-3 Alexander Zverev
Since going two sets down to Daniil Medvedev in last year’s Australian Open final, Jannik Sinner has won nine sets in a row in grand slam finals.
There was a sense of inevitability about his win today over Alexander Zverev, similar to his straight-sets win over Taylor Fritz at the US Open final.
Sinner is so consistent, so calm. Like the best champions, he finds a way to raise his level in the biggest moments.
JANNIK SINNER WINS AUSTRALIAN OPEN
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Jannik Sinner 6-3 7-6 6-3 Alexander Zverev
The heartbreak in grand slam finals continues for Zverev. But to be honest, there was not a lot he could have done against Sinner today. Zverev did not look at a single break point.
Three grand slam finals, three defats. But it’s not like his defeats in the US Open final in 2020 or Carlos Alcaraz last year. Zverev did not lead once. But perhaps that hurts even more.
JANNIK SINNER WINS AUSTRALIAN OPEN
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Jannik Sinner 6-3 7-6 6-3 Alexander Zverev
A second Australian Open in a row for Sinner! A third grand slam title! He raises his arms after finding the backhand winner and looks to the sky!
Zverev crosses the net to congratulate the World No 1! He becomes the first Italian man to win a third grand slam title. And that was just so dominant. He’s World No 1 for a reason.
He hugs his team and climbs into the players’ box to see his family. Huge smiles from those in the Sinner camp, and they better get used to this.
Sinner vs Zverev: Australian Open final updates
*Jannik Sinner 6-3 7-6 5-3 Alexander Zverev
Huge point on 30-30, on the second serve. But Zverev makes another forehand error, pushing wide in the rally!
MATCH POINT. CHAMPIONSHIP POINT.
Drop shot from Sinner... Zverev reaches it... Sinner finds the backhand winner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sinner vs Zverev: Australian Open final updates
*Jannik Sinner 6-3 7-6 5-3 Alexander Zverev
Sinner loses the first point on serve, missing the forehand. Not the ideal start and a rare glimmer of hope for Zverev.
But Sinner responds with the forehand winner down the line! Cool, calm. Just what we expect from Sinner.
15-15. ACE FROM SINNER. Right on the line down the middle. He moves two points away. Zverev needs a miracle.
He gets a forehand miss from Sinner! Zverev recovered well there in that rally, and digs in to get to 30-30.
Sinner vs Zverev: Australian Open final updates
ZVEREV HOLDS! *Jannik Sinner 6-3 7-6 5-3 Alexander Zverev
Over to Sinner. He will serve for the Australian Open title.
Down 40-0, Sinner cracks a forehand winner past Zverev. Sinner nets on the next return.
Sinner vs Zverev: Australian Open final updates
SINNER HOLDS! Jannik Sinner 6-3 7-6 5-2 Alexander Zverev*
Sinner moves a game away, but only after Zverev takes him to deuce in a longer game than those he has faced so far.
With Sinner closing on the game at 40-15, Zverev launches back with a thumping forehand winner down the line. Another attack from Zverev on the forehand, and Sinner nets to bring up deuce.
But Zverev still can’t force a break point. Sinner finds the first serve up the middle. Zverev goes long on the next return.
Sinner vs Zverev: Australian Open final updates
SINNER BREAKS! *Jannik Sinner 6-3 7-6 4-2 Alexander Zverev
Sinner pumps his fist as he strikes first against the Zverev serve, and then the German goes long to bring up 0-30.
Ace from Zverev out wide, but he slumps over his knees as he nets on the forehand! Two break points coming up for Sinner.
He has to hold serve here to stand a chance. Sinner is sent deep, and Zverev finds the backhand pass down the line. One saved.
Depth from Sinner to the Zverev forehand... and long from the German! Sinner breaks ahead - and based on what we’ve seen so far, that could be as good as match point.
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