[2] Jannik Sinner vs. Alexander Zverev [4]
Sinner has won his past five meetings with Zverev and dropped just eight games across two comprehensive wins late last year at the Rolex Paris Masters in Paris and the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin.
There is also a key subplot in Sinner’s desert campaign: Trailing Alcaraz by 1600 points in the ATP Race To Turin, the four-time Grand Slam champion risks losing touch with his great rival in the battle for year-end No. 1 honors should the Spaniard win a third title in four years in Tennis Paradise.
Zverev will hope hot conditions add pace and kick to his lethal first serve and that he can pick up a string of cheap points. Sinner will be happy to engage the World No. 4 In extended baseline battles, leveraging his premium movement and defensive skills to win a majority of points that stretch beyond three or four shots.
“It’s always a challenge,” Zverev said of playing Sinner, who leads their head to head 6-4. “He’s been one of the two best players in the world the last two years. Him and Carlos won all the Grand Slams and all the big events. Of course it’s a challenge, but it’s a challenge I’m looking forward to.”
Zverev this week became just the fifth man to reach the semifinals of all nine Masters 1000s after dismissing Arthur Fils in the quarterfinals for the loss of just five games. Should he win the title, he will move past Djokovic at No. 3 in the ATP Rankings.
Sinner has his eye on another notable record. Having won Toronto in 2023, Miami, Cincinnati and Shanghai in 2024 and Paris last year, the Italian is looking to complete a sweep of all six hard-court Masters 1000 titles.