World number one Jannik Sinner battled through a challenging three-set match to defeat Alexander Zverev and secure his spot in the Cincinnati Open final. The 23-year-old Italian triumphed 7-6 (11-9), 5-7, 7-6 (7-4) in a match that lasted three hours and seven minutes, showcasing both his skill and determination.
Sinner, who had previously lost all four of his matches against Zverev, overcame not only his opponent but also a lingering hip issue to claim the victory. The match, which was briefly interrupted by rain, saw Sinner dig deep to outlast the 27-year-old German.
With this win, Sinner advances to the final, where he will face American Frances Tiafoe on Monday at approximately 23:00 BST. Tiafoe, 26, secured his place in the final after overcoming Denmark’s Holger Rune, the 15th seed, in a hard-fought 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) victory.
After the match, Sinner acknowledged the physical toll it took on him and expressed his determination to improve his fitness ahead of future challenges. “I need to work on my physical conditioning if I want to compete for Grand Slam titles or bigger tournaments,” Sinner said. “But I’m proud of how I stayed mentally strong today, and I’m excited for what lies ahead.”
As Sinner looks forward to the US Open, which begins on August 26 in New York, he aims to build on this success and pursue his second major title of the year.
The semi-final was a tense affair, with Zverev rallying to win the second set after losing the first in a tie-break. Zverev then gained a 5-4 lead in the final set, inching closer to victory. However, Sinner responded with a surge, winning three of the next four games to force a tie-break. In the decisive moments, he broke Zverev’s serve twice, ultimately clinching the win.
“Today, trusting my instincts made all the difference,” Sinner reflected after the match. “It was a high-quality match for both of us, and I’m proud of how I played, especially against an opponent who served so well.”
