Jannik Sinner, the world’s number one tennis player from Italy, displayed his grit and determination to overcome a second-set stumble and defeat Germany’s Alexander Zverev in a thrilling three-set encounter. The match, which lasted a grueling three hours and seven minutes, saw Sinner emerge victorious with a score of 7-6(9), 5-7, 7-6(4).
Sinner, who is already a dominant force on the ATP Tour with four titles under his belt this year, showcased his remarkable consistency and power throughout the match. He won an impressive 70% of his first-serve points and capitalized on two of the four break-point opportunities he created.
The first set was a tense affair, with both players holding their serve until the final stages. Zverev, the 2021 Cincinnati champion, had three match points to clinch the opener but Sinner fought back, breaking Zverev’s serve to tie the score at 5-5. The set ultimately went to a tiebreak, which was interrupted by rain before Sinner secured the frame on his third set point with a decisive backhand volley.
The second set saw a back-and-forth exchange of early breaks, but Zverev, ranked fourth in the world, managed to hold his serve at love to take a 6-5 lead. Sinner, however, sent a forehand smash into the net on the next point, allowing Zverev to level the match at one set apiece.
The deciding set was a tightly contested affair, with neither player facing a break point. The set ultimately went to a tiebreak, where Sinner seized control. He dropped only one point on his serve and sealed the victory when Zverev sent a backhand shot long.
Sinner will now face either Denmark’s 15th seed Holger Rune or Frances Tiafoe, who is looking to become the first American finalist in Cincinnati since John Isner in 2013. The final promises to be a captivating match, with Sinner hoping to continue his strong run and add another title to his impressive collection.
