Jannik Sinner successfully defended the Australian Open title. World no. 1 dropped two sets in seven encounters in Melbourne, lifting a trophy in style and becoming the three-time Major winner at 23.
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Jannik faced world no. 2 Alexander Zverev in the final and scored a 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 victory. The Italian controlled the pace en route to his third consecutive hard-court Major crown. Sinner wrote history books and joined the legends of our sport with his serving performance.
Namely, Jannik became the fourth player to win a Major final without facing a break point! The Italian joined Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on the exclusive list.
Pete Sampras defeated Boris Becker in four sets in the 1995 Wimbledon final. The American lost the opener in the tie break before shifting into a higher gear and leaving the German behind. Sampras faced no break points and dominated on the return in sets two, three and four.
Eight years later, Roger Federer ousted Mark Philippoussis 7-6, 6-2, 7-6 in the final at the All England Club. The Swiss faced no issues behind the initial shot. He outplayed his rival in setnumber two and claimed two tie breaks to secure his first Major title.
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Rafael Nadal claimed the 2017 US Open title over Kevin Anderson. The Spaniard overpowered the South African on serve and return, playing against no break points and doing enough damage on the return to seal the deal in straight sets.
Now, Sinner is another proud owner of a Major title without playing against a break point in the final. Zverev felt the pressure and played against ten break chances. He defended eight but dropped serve two times to end on the losing side.
The German lost a tight tie break of the second set and failed to match hisrival's performance in the other two. He sprayed over 40 unforced errors and settled forthe runner-up prize.Jannik was off to a solid start.
He served at 71% in the first set and lost six points in his games. He claimed 41% of the return points and created six break chances. Zverev saved two break points in the fourth game before playing against four at 3-4.
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The Italian converted the last, delivering a break and moving 5-3 in front. World no. 1 served for the first set in game nine and brought it home with an ace for 6-3 in 46 minutes. The German denied two break points at 1-1 in the second set.
There were no more chances for the returners, and the set went into a tie break. They traded four straight mini-breaks and stayed neck and neck. Sinnerhit a lucky net cord forehand winner in the ninth point for a 5-4 lead and a boost.
He generated two set points with a service winner and converted the first with a forehand winner. Thus, Jannikforgedtwo sets to love advantage after an hour and 58 minutes, building a solid buffer and gaining confidence.
The defending champion served well early in the third set and kept the pressure on the other side. Alexander could not follow that pace after facing issues at 2-3. World no. 2 got broken after a forced error, losing serve and moving closer to the exit door.
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Jannik held after deuces in the seventh game, closing it with a service winner andkeeping his rival away from the break points. The Italian served for the title at 5-3 and made no errors! He hit a powerful serve for 30-15 and drew the rival's mistake for a match point.
Sinner converted it with abackhand crosscourt winner, celebrating his third Major title at 23!
