July 12 (UPI) — Jannik Sinner’s sneakers mowed the Center Court grass, skidding in all directions as he swatted his racket above to fend off the ferocious serves of Alexander Zverev and win his second consecutive Wimbledon crown Sunday in London.
The top-ranked Italian fifth Grand Slam kept composure throughout the match, which started tight, as Zverev expressed racket-chucking frustration in the men’s singles finale, which he lost 6-7(7), 7-6(2), 6-3, 6-4.
“It was an amazing final,” Sinner said on the ESPN broadcast. “It always takes two players. Me and Sascha tried to give everything we had. I’m very happy about the win, but I’m also very happy about the level we both played.”
With his fifth Grand Slam title win, Sinner extended a 10-match winning streak against Zverev and cashed in for $4.8 million in London. Zverev earned $1.08 million and will move to No. 2 from No. 3 in the ATP Tour singles rankings, replacing the inactive Carlos Alcaraz of Spain.
“He showed once again why he’s the best player in the world,” Zverev said of Sinner. “It was great to share Center Court with him on finals weekend. It’s a great honor to be here. Unfortunately, it didn’t go my way.”
Sinner held a 58-49 advantage in winners and logged 25 unforced errors, compared to Zverev’s 45. Zverev, the fastest server in the draw, edged Sinner 17-15 in aces.
Sinner, who entered the match with 14 consecutive set victories against Zverev, watched that streak snapped to start the match. The two winningest players on tour this season exchanged potent smashes and held serve throughout the first two sets, giving them the first Wimbledon men’s final since 2015 to start with two tiebreaks.
Zverev won the first tiebreak, ending with a mini-break for an early lead. Sinner claimed the second tiebreak, which featured five mini-breaks, 7-2. The first two sets consumed 2-hours and 9-minutes of the 3-hour, 48-minute meeting at the All England Club.
Sinner and Zverev once again exchanged game points through the first six games of the third set. Sinner held once more in the seventh and secured the match’s first break point conversion in the eighth for a 5-3 edge. He then won set point with an ace.
Zverev, who slipped and held his knee during the third set, saw a decline in his serve after the fall. He split points with Sinner through the first six games of the fourth set. Sinner then converted his second break point against the German to take control of the set.
He went on to gain championship point and secure his 87th consecutive hold against Zverev when the German failed to reach his final forehand return.
The final Grand Slam of the season — the 2026 U.S. Open — will be held Aug. 30 to Sept. 13 in Flushing, N.Y.
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