Match Preview
‘Hungry’ Sinner seeks to cool Zverev in Miami SFs, with Sunshine Double in sight
Zverev last beat Sinner in 2023
March 27, 2026
ATP
Jannik Sinner leads Alexander Zverev 7-4 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.
By Arthur Kapetanakis
Jannik Sinner is riding a number of streaks into the Miami Open presented by Itau semi-finals. The one that matters most is his 10-match winning run that dates back to Indian Wells. Two more victories and he will become the first man since Roger Federer in 2017 to complete the Sunshine Double — winning Miami and Indian Wells in the same season.
The No. 2 player in the PIF ATP Rankings is also on a record streak of 30 consecutive sets won at the ATP Masters 1000s, going back to his title run at the Rolex Paris Masters. And dating back to the start of 2024, Sinner is on a six-match winning streak against his semi-final opponent, Alexander Zverev. That includes a 6-2, 6-4 semi-final result two weeks ago en route to the Indian Wells crown.
Zverev rattled off four straight victories against the Italian from 2020-23 but now trails their Lexus ATP Head2Head series 4-7. The German has also been dominant in Miami, dropping just one set in four wins — to Marin Cilic in the third round. Zverev turned in his most impressive performance in the quarter-finals, overwhelming 18th seed Francisco Cerundolo 6-1, 6-2.
Finding success with an emphasis on aggressive tennis, Zverev notched three of his four Miami wins without facing a break point, according to Infosys ATP Stats. He has lost serve just once in the tournament. He’ll need more of the same to trouble Sinner.
“Tomorrow will be the toughest test,” Zverev said after advancing to his 25th ATP Masters 1000 semi-final. “I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been feeling quite well, and hopefully it’ll continue.”
The German owns the most ATP Masters 1000 wins this decade (105) and has reached the semis at five of the past six events at that prestigious level. He will be competing in his third Miami semi-final, with a runner-up finish in 2018. Never before has he reached the semis at both Indian Wells and Miami in the same season.
Sinner may be the only player hotter than Zverev in the South Florida heat. The Italian scored his most emphatic result of the tournament in a 6-2, 6-2 Wednesday win against home favourite Frances Tiafoe, losing just nine points on serve and firing 14 aces in eight service games.
After winning eight titles in his breakout 2024 season and six last year, he now seeks his second of this season.
“To be hungry [for more success], I think is quite natural,” said Sinner after advancing to the Miami semis for the fourth time in five appearances. “Mentally you have to stay calm and be relaxed also off the court, because I played a lot of tennis in the past three or four weeks with all the practice sessions and everything. I’m trying to keep going. I know this is my last tournament on hard courts before going on clay, so I’m very happy to make the semis again.”
Sinner has never lost a completed match before the final in Miami, though he retired in the 2022 quarters against Cerundolo. He is on a 10-match winning streak at the event after dropping just one set on his way to the 2024 title.
Because he is not defending any PIF ATP Rankings points this year, Sinner can move within 1,540 points of World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz with the title. The trophy would also move him within 50 points of the Spaniard in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin.
Zverev will leapfrog Novak Djokovic and return to No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings next week behind his semi-final run, and could pass Daniil Medvedev for third in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin with a win against Sinner. By claiming the title, he would move within 10 points of Sinner for second.
The winner of the semi-final showdown between the second and third seeds will enter the title match as a firm favourite against Arthur Fils or Jiri Lehecka, both of whom are seeking their first ATP Masters 1000 final.
When are the Miami tennis semi-finals?
The Miami Open presented by Itau semi-finals will take place on Friday 27 March.
Who is playing in the Miami tennis semi-finals?
The semi-finals feature Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Jiri Lehecka and Arthur Fils.
How can I watch the Miami tennis semi-finals?
Watch live on TennisTV
TV Schedule
Did You Know?
Since 2021, Hubert Hurkacz, Carlos Alcaraz and Jakub Mensik all won their maiden ATP Masters 1000 title in Miami. Could Fils or Lehecka be next?