Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player. Jannik Sinner cemented his current stranglehold on men's tennis as he sealed a second consecutive Australian Open title with victory against Alexander Zverev.
The Italian world No 1 became just the eighth player in the Open era since to win the first three Grand Slam men's singles finals he has contested with a success in Melbourne on Sunday. Sinner has not lost a match on hard courts at a major since a defeat by Zverev in the fourth round of the US Open in , following up his maiden title here last year by winning in New York. Jannik Sinner is the first player to claim 10 consecutive straight-sets wins over ATP top opponents since they were firstly published in Sinner is the youngest player to win back-to-back men's singles titles at the Australian Open since Jim Courier A repeat of Zverev's victory in never looked on the cards, with Sinner showcasing all the qualities that have made him virtually untouchable on the surface.
As well as a 21st-consecutive hard-court win at Grand Slams, it also extended his current career-best winning run at all levels to 21 matches dating back to a final loss in Beijing in early October, while he has won 47 of his first 50 matches as world No 1, equalling the ATP record. After his final backhand flew past Zverev, Sinner - who continues to put the uncertainty over his ongoing doping case to the back of his mind - thrust his arms into the air in triumph. The defeat means Zverev's search for a first major title goes on, with the German now having lost finals in New York, Paris and Melbourne.
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The other two were five-set battles he might have won but he was under pressure from the start here thanks to his opponent's relentless ball-striking and superb movement. Sinner praised Zverev, saying: "First of all I would like to start with Sascha, a tough day for you and your whole team. Whoever is involved in this sport knows how strong you are. We all believe you can lift one of these very soon. The Italian then addressed his team, including coaches Simone Vagnozzi and Australian Darren Cahill, who is set to retire at the end of the season and was in tears.
