Australian Open: Jannik Sinner takes on Alexander Zverev in the men's singles final in Melbourne on Sunday | Tennis News

Defending champion Jannik Sinner is eyeing back-to-back Australian Open titles, with Alexander Zverev and his bid for a first Grand Slam success standing in his way on Sunday in Melbourne.

This is the first men's singles final at a Slam tournament between the world's top-ranked players since the 2019 Australian Open, where Novak Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal in straight sets.

These two are the in form duo in men's tennis at the moment, but off the court there have been distractions.

Sinner's path to the finals came while hanging over his head is a long-standing doping case stemming from a failed drug test last March.

Although cleared to play by tennis' integrity authority, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is seeking a ban of up to two years for the Italian at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with a hearing scheduled for April.

Zverev's latest of his two Grand Slam finals appearances, at the French Open last summer, followed a semi-final win over Casper Ruud that came hours after an out-of-court settlement was reached to end the ex-girlfriend's 2020 assault trial.

There is chatter and speculation about both men, but both have managed to put it in the box and focus on their tennis – both are excellent on court.

“He feels playing tennis matches is his safe place,” said Darren Cahill, one of Sinner's two coaches. “He can go there and do his thing and feel like that's what he knows, that's what he understands, that's what he's good at.

“It became a home for him to go out on the court and play tennis.

“There's been a lot of pressure around him in the last nine months. He handles it as well as anyone I've ever seen handle that pressure.

“He's an incredible young man who was able to put that aside. He has a clear conscience.”

Sinner added ahead of the final: “There's a lot going on, on and off the pitch. I try to isolate myself a bit, I try to be myself on the field.

“There are days when it's easier, days when I struggle a little more.

“I'm trying to get things off my mind, the pressure. Even if it is easy to say but hard to do.

“I'll try to do that and enjoy these moments. We've got six very, very tough matches.”

Sinner's six 'hard-fought' wins included just two set drops, against wild card Tristan Schoolkate in the second round and 13th seed Holger Rune in the fourth – who received medical attention for dizziness and an upset stomach during the final match.

But fears that the 23-year-old sensation was not in peak physical form were allayed by the ease with which he disposed of both Australia's home hope Alex de Minaur in the quarter-finals and good Ben Shelton in the quarter-finals. the last four – both dispatched in straight sets – to take his tally to 20 straight at the end of the 2024 season and the start of this one.

That makes Sinner the favorite for Sunday's final, even as he takes on world No.2 Zverev, a man who holds a 4-2 career advantage against the Italian – including two on the hard courts of the US Open.

“We've had some very tough games in the past,” Sinner said. “Anything can happen, he is an amazing player… there will be a lot of tension, but I will enjoy it.”

Zverev seeks to overcome the fragility of Grand Slam finals

Zverev was so often almost a man at the Slams.

Two lost finals, six semi-final exits and five quarter-final exits. Once thwarted at the Grand Slams by Djokovic, Nadal and Roger Federer in the early part of his career, lately the younger generation led by Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have worked for him.

Alcaraz overcame a two-set deficit to triumph over the German in the French Open final last year, while Zverev surrendered a two-set lead to Dominic Thiem in the 2020 US Open decider.

Such collapses on the biggest stage have led to accusations of mental fragility against Zverev, but his form over the past year hints at a firmer resolve within the 27-year-old, with ATP 1000 titles won at the Italian Open and the last Paris Masters. year – his first at that level since 2021.

The towering 6ft 6in Zverev boasts one of the most powerful serves in the game, adding more consistency to that weapon of late thanks to a lower toss, while also being a ferocious attacker of the ball deep behind the baseline – although that style has sometimes drawn criticism for is too 'passive' at certain points.

Zverev also has a relentless drive, a part of his game that has only been further aided by his re-hiring of Andy Murray's former coach Jazz Green for this season – a response to his meltdown in a five-set loss to Alcaraz at the French Open. last time she reached this stage.

“I was always very proud and I always knew I could go with anyone as long as I wanted when I was with Jazz Green,” Zverev said. “I got tired against Carlos. I didn't want that to happen again this year.”

Zverev's stamina may be one of the reasons why Djokovic decided to retire with an injury after just one set of Friday's semifinals.

“Even if I win the first set, it will be a huge uphill battle for me to stay physically fit enough to stay with him in rallies for another… two, three, four hours,” Djokovic said after retiring from a torn muscle in his left leg.

The record 24-time Grand Slam champion also backed Zverev to secure a 'deserved' first title.

“I wish (Zverev) all the best, he deserves his first slam,” Djokovic said. “I'll be rooting for him and hopefully he can make it here.”

Zverev himself insists that he is ready to take the next step in his career on Sunday. “I feel like I got the job done, and I feel like I'm ready for it,” he said.