Jannik Sinner defeats world No 3 6-3, 7-6 (4) in semi-final
Jiri Lehecka beats Fils 6-2, 6-2 to reach maiden Masters 1000 decider
For one intense, gripping hour inside Miami Open’s stadium court, Alexander Zverev outperformed the modest expectations of his sceptical audience. Under sustained, suffocating pressure from the best returner in the world, he held his own serve and kept Jannik Sinner honest as a competitive second set culminated in a tie-break. Eight points in, nothing could separate them.
Things changed abruptly. At 4-4 on his own serve, Zverev set up a routine overhead that would have moved him narrowly ahead. Instead, the tension that comes with facing a player of Sinner’s calibre finally prevailed. Zverev crumbled, framing his smash into the net.
This point perfectly demonstrated the pressure Sinner imposes on all opponents these days, and it unsurprisingly proved his undoing. Moments later, after landing two excellent first serves, Sinner powered into the Miami Open final with a gritty 6-3, 7-6 (4) win.
