In a thrilling finale at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna, Jannik Sinner clinched his 21st career title by defeating Alexander Zverev in a hard-fought match that showcased the resilience and skill of both athletes. The scoreboard read 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 in favor of Sinner, marking his second title in Vienna and extending a remarkable run in recent tournaments.
The matchup echoed their previous encounter in the Australian Open final earlier this year, where Sinner emerged victorious in straight sets. However, Zverev was determined to change the narrative this time around. The German started strong, taking the first set and demonstrating powerful serving and strategic play. Yet, the anticipated momentum shift became complicated as Sinner grappled with cramps in both the opening and deciding sets—a situation that had plagued him in his recent match at Shanghai.
Reflecting on the match, Sinner expressed his relief and joy after the nearly three-hour contest. “It feels amazing,” he remarked. “It was such a difficult start to the final for me. I went a break down and had some chances in the first set but couldn’t capitalize. He was serving very well, but I just tried to stay mentally strong and play my best when it mattered.”
The second set saw Sinner shake off any lingering discomfort and level the match, adjusting his strategy to focus on aggression and shorter points. Despite experiencing renewed tension in his left hamstring as the decider progressed, he managed to counteract the physical strain with careful energy management and strategic serving.
“The third set was a bit of a rollercoaster,” Sinner admitted, highlighting the emotional and physical challenges he faced. “I was feeling the ball well at times, so I tried to push. The most important thing was to not give up and stay focused on my choices.”
Zverev, a former champion in Vienna and currently ranked within the top tiers of the ATP, showcased his talent by closing out the first set, but ultimately Sinner’s perseverance and tactical adjustments brought him success.
In the aftermath of his victory, Sinner’s performance sets a high bar for his upcoming matches, especially as he approaches the Rolex Paris Masters. His ability to drop just one set throughout the tournament is a testament to his growing prowess on the court and serves as a bold statement to his top rival, Carlos Alcaraz, who he is expected to face in Paris.
As Sinner continues to build momentum, his win in Vienna serves not only as a personal triumph but also as a clear indication of his position as one of the leading players on the ATP tour.
