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Article by Benjamin Lonicer (30.01.2025)
Sinner bests Zverev to win third grand slam title, while World Nr. 1 Champion Sabalenka is upset
On Sunday, the 26th of January, Jannik Sinner was able to defend his Australian Open Title in only three out of five possible sets. The number one-ranked Italian was able to fend off the number two-ranked German Alexander “Sascha” Zverev through what many pundits claimed to be utter domination. With his third grand slam championship victory, winning the last three hard court grand slams, Sinner now builds his lead in the ATP ranking to over 3,500 points.
Sinner after the Championship Point. Picture: AP / Manish Swarup via CNN
Net cord shot as a turning point
After a first set which saw no real chance for Zverev, the turning point of the match came in the break of the second set, Zverev would claim in his post game interview. Sinner’s cross shot just about made contact with the top of the net and while in the other games of the Australian Open the ball would bounce up to the “T-Line”, this particular ball stayed almost glued to the net, killing all sense of momentum the German was able to build up until then.
Game decided by service
Throughout the game, both men presented serves from a different level as was to be expected. What set the two world class athletes apart, however, was Zverev’s inability to take Sinner’s serve away. Every time the 2021 Olympic gold medalist had a chance to come to breakpoint, Sinner would play a beautiful forehand cross or longline to regain momentum. This pattern resulted in Zverev getting no chances to win even one of his opponents' services.
Zverev - the perennial runner up
Zverev now joins a list of players he may not want to be on. Including him, only 7 players have lost the first three grand slam finals they have played. His high place in the rankings is thanks to the many small tournaments he is able to win. Even behind his gold medal, there is an asterisk, signifying that it was played without a crowd during Covid. German tennis legend Boris Becker attributes Zverev’s most recent loss to mental issues, stating that he didn't seem “there” on the court. Yet later on in the podcast interview, Becker found some words of encouragement, claiming Zverev was good enough to win the first grand slam title by a German male since 1996 when Becker won.
Zverev at the Award ceremony after the Match. Picture: dpa / Frank Molter via Zeit Online
Heckling in the post match interview
After the match, a woman from the stands repeatedly yelled out “Australia believes you, Olya and Brenda!” referencing domestic abuse charges made by Alexander Zverev’s ex-girlfriends. The runner up, who has denied the accusations, sidestepped the allegations shouted, one of which was settled in court without admission of guilt. In the interview post match, Zverev would go on to praise Sinner as the “best player in the world”.
The Victorious Keys (l.) and the Runner up Sabalenka with their respective trophies. Via SkySports
Keys spoils Sabalenka show
In the Women’s Tournament, American Madison Keys was able to upset the World Nr. 1: Aryna Sabalenka. Sabalenka was made to compete under no flag due to Belarus’ involvement in the Ukraine war. She was on course to win the same grand slam three times in a row, a feat only accomplished by three women before her. However, the fierce underdog Keys was able to hold that celebration off, by winning her first ever grand slam title: a win that catapulted her up twelve places to seventh in the WTA rankings.
Sources
ABC News. (2025, January 28). “I hope it happens everywhere”: Tennis fan opens up about Zverev protest. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-29/australian-open-tennis-fan-opens-up-about-zverev-protest/104870364
ATP Rankings: Pif ATP Rankings (singles): ATP Tour: Tennis: ATP tour: Tennis. ATP Tour. (n.d.-a). https://www.atptour.com/en/rankings/singles
Hilsum, J. (26AD). ALEXANDER ZVEREV HAILS JANNIK SINNER AS “BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD BY FAR” AFTER ITALIAN’S SECOND AUSTRALIAN OPEN CROWN. Eurosport is not available in your region. https://www.eurosport.com/tennis/australian-open-men/2025/alexander-zverev-jannik-sinner-best-player-in-world_sto20075197/story.shtml
Jannik Sinner vs. Alexander Zverev Melbourne 2025 final: MATCH STATS: ATP Tour: Tennis. ATP Tour. (n.d.-b). https://www.atptour.com/en/scores/match-stats/archive/2025/580/ms001
Staff, W. (2024, June 8). Takeaways: Swiatek beats Paolini for French open three-peat. Women’s Tennis Association. https://www.wtatennis.com/news/4035147/takeaways-swiatek-beats-paolini-for-french-open-three-peat?t&utm
Tennis rankings: Official Women’s Tennis Rankings – WTA tennis. Women’s Tennis Association. (n.d.). https://www.wtatennis.com/rankings/singles
Pictures
https://www.zeit.de/news/2025-01/26/zverev-verliert-finale-gegen-sinner-bei-australian-open
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