SINNER QUALIFIES FOR LAST FOUR AS SUPERB INDOOR RUN CONTINUES AGAINST ZVEREV
Jannik Sinner booked his spot in the 2025 Nitto ATP Finals semi-finals with a convincing victory over Alexander Zverev.
The reigning champion extended his winning streak on indoor hard courts to 28 matches courtesy of a 6-4 6-3 success in one hour and 37 minutes.
The win coupled with Felix Auger-Aliassime’s triumph over Ben Shelton means the Italian progresses from the Bjorn Borg Group with a match to spare, while Zverev will have to fight it out with the Canadian to join him in the last four.
Speaking on court following his victory, Sinner said: “It was very, very competitive – a very close match.
“I felt like I was serving very well in important moments. I tried to play the best tennis possible when it mattered and fortunately today it went my way.
“We both changed a little bit tactically, so I felt like we were both trying to hit quite fast, quite flat. I’m quite happy with how I returned his serve; very difficult, it’s one of the best serves in the game.
“The group I’m in, with Sascha [Zverev], with Ben [Shelton], it’s very difficult to return the serves, but I’m very happy and let’s see what’s coming.
“I’m very excited to be in the semis.”
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It was Zverev who made the brighter start, probing for an instant break but seeing two opportunities snuffed out as Sinner needed four aces to help him through a tough opening game.
The Italian grew more consistent as a serve-dominated contest developed and he broke at 5-4 on a third set point to seal the opener in 47 minutes.
Sinner survived a triple break point early in the second stanza and then fought off another in the fifth game as Zverev pressed for a way back into the match.
There was a sense of inevitability about Sinner making him pay again, and the home favourite duly broke for a 4-2 lead courtesy of a sumptuous drop shot.
Zverev did have the opportunity to break back, but Sinner came up clutch to consolidate and eventually served it out on his first match point to stay on track in his defence of the title.