Jannik Sinner completed his dominant run at the Miami Masters with a straight-sets win over Jiri Lehecka in the final on Sunday to add to his title won in Indian Wells earlier this month.
The world No.2 produced a 6-4, 6-4 triumph over his Czech rival on what was a rainy day in Miami with the final getting halted halfway through due to the weather. Despite the conditions, Sinner remained focused throughout and saved all three break points he faced. Even more impressive from the Italian was his first service performance, in which he won 33 out of 36 points played.
Sinner, who has won 34 consecutive sets played at Masters 1000 events, is the first man since Roger Federer in 2017 to achieve the Sunshine Double (winning Indian Wells and Miami in the same year). He also joins Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in being the only players to win three Masters titles in a row since the series was introduced in 1990.
“It has to be the serve,” Sinner replied when asked what area of his game he is most impressed with at the moment.
“I feel like here I was serving better than Indian Wells. But we worked a lot to be in this position.
Sinner is closing the gap on Alcaraz’s No.1 spot. At the start of this month, there were 3150 points separating the two, but this has now been cut down to 1190. Heading into the clay swing, Sinner also has the advantage of having no points to defend in Monte Carlo.
“Carlos, he has been so consistent for so long. Now we go on clay where we all know how strong he is there,” Sinner said of his rivalry with the Spaniard.
“For me, now the most important thing is to recover and enjoy this moment. I don’t have a lot of time to adjust, playing on clay, if I want to play Monaco.
“I just try to enjoy these moments and not think too much. I have always been someone who thinks in the very present moment. I don’t look in front, but I also don’t look backwards. Whatever comes, comes.
“I’m very happy about these couple of tournaments, and now a new chapter starts with the clay again.”
Despite his success, Sinner has only won one ATP title on clay, which was at the Croatia Open in 2022. In comparison, Miami was the 23rd hardcourt event he won. He is also the reigning Wimbledon champion.
The serve has been a key tool for Sinner during his time in North America, but he admits adjustments will need to be made for his next surface.
“On clay, the serve, you need to use it in a very different way,” he explains.
“You cannot go only flat. Let’s see how that works. But at the moment, I also want to enjoy this moment.”
Sinner heads into the clay swing with a win-loss record of 19-2 so far this season.
