Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev showcased their elite talents at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna, both securing spots in the final of this prestigious ATP 500 event, thereby living up to their top-seeding expectations.
Sinner, the tournament’s top seed and currently ranked No. 2 in the world, continued his stellar run by defeating Alex de Minaur in a straightforward match, winning 6-3, 6-4. This victory marked Sinner’s eighth final appearance this season, a milestone not claimed by any player since Novak Djokovic achieved it in 2015-2016.
Post-match, Sinner expressed satisfaction with his performance, noting, “I came here quite late to the tournament, tried to take every day in the best possible way, and I’m happy to be here in the final. It was not easy to reach the final here, so I’m very happy.” He reflected on his consistent service game throughout the tournament, revealing that while he had previously navigated earlier rounds without facing a single break point, he was broken twice by de Minaur. Nevertheless, he maintained his composure to secure a convincing win.
De Minaur, the third seed, faced a challenging task, having never won in 11 prior encounters with Sinner. The Australian player pushed Sinner physically during the first set, highlighting the intensity of their matchup. “I was trying to play some good tennis, trying to serve very well,” Sinner noted, acknowledging de Minaur’s adaptive tactics that featured sliced shots designed to disrupt his rhythm.
Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev, the second seed, was driven by the desire to avenge his previous defeat to Sinner in the Australian Open final. He advanced to the final by defeating Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 7-5. Zverev had to overcome shoulder issues early in the tournament but managed to find his footing, winning his matches in a mix of decisive straight-set victories and a walkover.
Zverev celebrated his semi-final victory as a personal milestone, marking his 300th hard-court win at the tour level. He was particularly pleased with his performance, stating, “I found a little bit of confidence in my body and myself. I felt like today was a good match. Happy with the win and happy to be in the final playing against Jannik now.”
Looking ahead to the final, he acknowledged the challenge that awaited him, expressing excitement about facing one of the top players in the world: “It’s going to be a great challenge. I’m looking forward to it, playing against one of the two best players in the world, seeing where my level really is.”
Musetti’s loss meant he missed a chance to solidify his position in the Race to Turin, remaining in contention for a spot at the ATP Finals but leading Felix Auger-Aliassime by a slim 420-point margin for the coveted final qualifying position.
The final between Sinner and Zverev promises to be a thrilling showdown as both players are in excellent form and set to deliver high-stakes tennis in Vienna.
