World No. 2 Jannik Sinner continued his outstanding run this year, outclassing German star Alexander Zverev to claim his second Vienna Open title on Sunday.
The top seed defeated Zverev 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 to reclaim the crown he first won in 2023, mounting a strong comeback after dropping the opening set. In a match lasting two hours and 29 minutes, Sinner showcased grit and composure to clinch his 21st tour-level title.
“It feels amazing,” said Sinner, as quoted by the ATP’s official website, extending his unbeaten streak on indoor hard courts to 21 matches.
“It was such a difficult start in this final for me. I went a break down, had some chances in the first set but couldn’t use them. He was serving very well, but I just tried to stay strong mentally and play my best tennis when it mattered most.
“The third set was a bit of a rollercoaster, but I was feeling the ball very well at times, so I tried to push, and I’m very happy, of course, to win another title. It’s very special,” he added.
Zverev began strongly, striking cleanly off both wings and earning an early break in the fourth game as Sinner appeared sluggish and limped between points. The German took the first set, but Sinner regrouped to level the match in the second.
In the decider, Sinner battled through left hamstring cramps during the seventh game. After taking pickle juice and adopting a more aggressive approach to shorten rallies, he gradually gained control and secured a crucial break for 6-5 before serving out the match to seal his fourth title of the season.
The victory leveled Sinner’s ATP head-to-head record against Zverev at 4-4 and placed him alongside legends Roger Federer and Andy Murray as a two-time Vienna Open champion.
“It was very difficult, of course,” Sinner said, reflecting on his struggles in the final set. “The most important thing was not to give up and to stay there, to understand the situation and make the right choices at the right time. I think that was the key today. Serving well and saving energy in my service games was important too,” he added.
With a win-loss record of 48-6 this season, the 24-year-old now turns his focus to the Paris Masters and the season-ending ATP Finals.
(ANI)