Jannik Sinner 'imperious' in Australian Open final win over Alexander Zverev as experts say result 'never in doubt'

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Jannik Sinner became a three-time Grand Slam champion in Melbourne, as he defended his Australian Open title in style with a straight-sets victory over Alexander Zverev. The result was "never in doubt", according to Eurosport’s Tim Henman, as Sinner wrapped up the win in two hours and 42 minutes without facing a break point on his serve. But for Zverev, it was a third major final defeat.

Zverev was 'flat emotionally' during final against Sinner, say experts

Video credit: TNT Sports

Jannik Sinner extended his Grand Slam hard court winning streak as he got his hands on a third major title with victory in the Australian Open final.

The Italian has now won the last three hard court Grand Slam titles, with victories in Melbourne and New York in 2024 to go with his title defence to open the 2025 season in style.

Sinner beat Alexander Zverev in straight sets, 6-3 7-6(4) 6-3, in under three hours, the German world No. 2 having no answers to his opponent’s game as his search for a first major title goes on.

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On paper, the match should have been close - the top two players in the world on ranking going toe-to-toe, with Zverev leading their head-to-head 4-2 and the German the last man to beat Sinner on a hard court in a Slam back in New York in 2023.

But while there were some close games and entertaining rallies, the result was "never in doubt", according to Tim Henman.

"A worthy champion, a brilliant performance. From where I was sitting, you just felt it was never in doubt," he said from the Eurosport commentary box.

"His third Slam and Zverev’s third defeat in a final. In the most important moments, it was Sinner who stepped up, took the bull by the horns and played the most aggressive tennis, and he’s got the outcome he wanted again."

'A flawless performance' - Experts react to Sinner winning Australian Open again

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"He’s the man setting the gold standard right now, he’s just been imperious over the course of the fortnight," added Nick Mullins.

"No one really came close to challenging him."

Sinner was not taken to five sets in any of his matches in Melbourne, just Tristan Schoolkate and Holger Rune managing to take a set off the Italian across the course of his seven matches.

The closest Zverev got was the second set, when he managed to force a tie-break. But it was Sinner’s serve that held out when it mattered, as he took it 7-4 with an on-the-line winner as the clock approached the two-hour mark.

That moment was the end of some of Zverev’s racquets as frustrations bubbled over for the German, who could see another Grand Slam title slipping away. And while Zverev had lost in five sets to Dominic Thiem in New York, and took Carlos Alcaraz all the way at Roland-Garros, it did not look likely to be a five-setter in Melbourne.

Sinner got the break in the sixth game of the third set, another Zverev error costing him. And that was that, as Sinner held his next two service games to take the title in straight sets and win his third hard-court Grand Slam on the bounce.

"A flawless performance from Sinner," said Mats Wilander after the match.

Watch moment 'worthy champion' Sinner seals second Australian Open title

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"This always felt like it was his match, from the first game he had that little bit of firepower, that little bit of consistency. Phenomenal performance from Jannik Sinner," added Laura Robson, while Henman noted how "impressive" it was for Sinner to come through the semi-finals and final in straight sets.

John McEnroe sounded an ominous warning to the rest of the tennis world by reminding everyone that Sinner is "still a work in progress" and "still young," calling the Italian the best in the world on hard courts.

‘FLAT AS A PANCAKE’ - WHAT HAPPENED TO ZVEREV?

There was some debate as to whether Zverev would try and extend the points, make the final as physical as possible to try and take advantage of Sinner’s fatigue, with the Italian having played a full semi-final to Zverev’s one set.

Add in Sinner’s cramping issues and physical problems in the heat earlier in the tournament, and that seemed a sensible game plan for the German, but it was not to be.

"[Sinner] did get into Zverev’s head, I’m not denying that," said McEnroe.

"I thought he’d try and get into a war of attrition, try and test Sinner who cramped two days ago and got sick four days ago. He wasn’t able to do that, but you have to give credit to Jannik, who took him right out of the match.

"I was really surprised at the level Zverev came up with at the end of the second set and the third set, I don’t know what happened to him… He had no energy, he was flat as a pancake. He looked like the guy who got sick a couple of days ago, he looked weary and he played one set in five days. I don’t know what happened."

Zverev hails Sinner as 'best player in the world by far' after Australian Open final

Video credit: TNT Sports

Wilander agreed, unsure as to where Zverev goes from here after losing a third Grand Slam final.

"I’m starting to wonder if there is the self-belief," Wilander said. "When I see this performance, not in terms of how he hit the ball or tactics, but in terms of emotional input, I’m starting to wonder if…

"I’m sure he believes early in the match, but you have to believe in the third set, when you win the first point in the last game. You have to bluff your opponent and when he doesn’t do that, it worries me, to be honest."

Watch and stream the 2025 Australian Open live on Eurosport and discovery+

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