In the long -awaited male final of the Australian Open, Alexander Zverev is preparing to challenge the defending champion Jannik Sinner, a task that is looming as one of the most formidable of current male Tennis. The Italian phenomenon has not tasted defeat on hard courts since its loss in the fourth round of the US Open in 2023, a match that Zverev had himself won.
Sinner, who won his first Grand Chelem title in Melbourne last year, arrives at this final with an impressive series of 20 consecutive victories on hard shorts, having recently eliminated the American Ben Shelton in two sets during the half -final.
Overall, the 22 -year -old won 36 of his last 37 games, his only defeat that took place against Carlos Alcaraz in the China Open final in October.
World number 1 and younger player to reach consecutive finals of the Australian Open since Pete Sampras in 1995, Sinner showed a dominant form throughout the tournament, having left only two sets to reach his second final consecutive.
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At just 23 years old, Sinner is undeniably the player to beat on Sunday, an idea reflected by the tension surrounding the tournament while the final must start at 3:30 am East.
“It will be a difficult match,” admitted Sinner by evoking his imminent confrontation with Zverev. “We have had very demanding meetings in the past. Anything can happen.
“He is an incredible player. He aims for his first major title, which will certainly bring a lot of tension on the court. However, I am delighted to be again in this position. Sundays during tournaments are special, and I account savor every moment. “
-Sinner’s exceptional performance takes place in the middle of a significant controversy outside the court, which stems from a positive test for the prohibited substance Clostebol in March 2024. Although the International Tennis Integrity Agency confirmed in August in August That there was no fault on his part, the World Anti -Doping Agency has since appealed this decision with the Arbitral Tribunal of Sport.
On the other hand, Zverev’s route to the Australian Open final was unconventional; He reached this stadium after the withdrawal of Novak Djokovic due to an injury.
The German presents a promising assessment in the face of Sinner on the hard shorts, having won the two previous confrontations during tournaments of the Grand Chelem, while Sinner beat him during the France 2020 Open.
Zverev, a player long considered a potential champion of the Grand Slam, has impressive distinctions, including a gold medal in simple men at the Olympic Games, two titles at ATP Finals, and seven remarkable victories in Masters 1,000. However, The title of the Grand Slam remains elusive for him.
This final marks the third appearance of Zverev on the Grand Chelem scene, after tight defeats in five sets against Alcaraz during the French Open last year and Dominic Thiem during the US Open 2020 – A particularly painful defeat after letting two sets escape.
Like Sinner’s journey to the final, Zverev also lost only two sets during the tournament. In addition, it happens to this confrontation with a slight physical advantage, coming from a semi-final where Djokovic abandoned after a set due to an injury.
“It would be great to finally win one more set than in my previous finals,” said Zverev.
“The Grand Chelem finals are intrinsically difficult. You face the best players in the world on this scene. I have experienced difficult losses, two of which are in five sets – one being a tiebreak in fifth set during the US Open .
