Jannik Sinner extended his unbeaten run on indoor hardcourts to 28 consecutive wins after beating Alexander Zverev at the ATP Finals on Wednesday.
The world No.1 was tested by his German opponent at times but had all the answers asked of him during his 6-4, 6-3 victory. Sinner, who hit a total of 28 winners against 14 unforced errors, has already secured his place in the semi-finals of the year-end event with a match left to play in the round robin stages. He has now won 55 matches on the Tour so far in 2025.
“It was a very competitive and very close match,” Sinner said during his on-court interview.
“I felt like I was serving very well in important moments. I tried to play the best tennis possible when it mattered, which, fortunately, went my way.”
Throughout the clash, Zverev had his chances to get a stronghold but was unable to do so. During the opening set, the three-time Grand Slam finalist had a double chance to break in the first game but failed to convert before getting broken for the first time when serving at 4-5. Then, in the second, Sinner was supreme when it came to the clutch points, fending off five break points during three of his service games.
Sinner’s resilience frustrated his rival, who looked at times like he had no belief he could win. Coming into the ATP Finals, Zverev has lost his four most recent meetings against the Italian with three of those being this year.
It was only a matter of time before Sinner sealed another win. After breaking halfway through the second set en route to a 5-3 lead, he converted his first match point with a serve out wide that was returned into the net.
“We both changed a little bit tactically, so I felt like we both were trying to hit quite fast and quite flat,” Sinner commented.
“I’m very happy with how I returned the serve. It’s very difficult. (Zverev is) One of the best serves in the game.
“The group I’m in, with Sasha and Ben. It’s very difficult to return the serves.
“I’m very happy and let’s see what’s coming in the next round.”
The defending champion has now won 14 sets in a row at the ATP Finals, which dates back to his opening match at the 2024 tournament. He aims to become the 11th player to win the title on multiple occasions and the first to win back-to-back trophies since Novak Djokovic.
As for Zverev, he will next play Felix Auger-Aliassime, with the winner joining Sinner in the semi-finals. Sinner’s next match will be against Ben Shelton, who is making his tournament debut and has yet to win a match.
