Jannik Sinner vs Alexander Zverev LIVE
Jannik Sinner fought off a full-blooded challenge from Alexander Zverev to successfully defend his Wimbledon title. Fresh from finally winning a first Grand Slam crown at the French Open last month, Zverev shrugged off a woeful recent record against Sinner to claim the first set.
But, after wilting in the heat in Paris, Sinner stamped his authority firmly back on men’s tennis by battling to a 6-7 (7) 7-6 (2) 6-3 6-4 victory and a fifth major crown. It was also a 100th grand slam match win for the world number one, who earned royal approval from the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George and Princess Charlotte in the front row of the Royal Box.
After losing nine matches in a row and 14 sets against the Italian, Zverev knew he had to do something different and his intention was clear from the start as he secured a second consecutive crown at the All England Club.
Jannik Sinner vs Alexander Zverev latest updates
Live updates
Zverev on-court reaction
“Jannik, I don't really like you any more! I lost to you nine times in a row.
"But he showed once again why he is the best player in the world. It was great to share the Centre Court with you on finals weekend. A great honour to be here. It didn't go my way but congratulations to you first of all.”
Sinner on-court reaction
"It feels amazing. 'Sascha', I would like to start with you and your whole team and family. You reached one of your main goals; winning Grand Slams. You made it happen in Paris.
"Today you were so, so close. If you keep playing like this I’m sure you’re going to have this one at home as well. So amazing, keep going. I know another goal is for you to become number one in the world. You are very close. I have to be very careful now! But congrats."
Game, set and match! Sinner 6-7(6) 7-6(2) 6-3 6-4 Zverev
Whoops and cheers from Centre Court as the reigning champion serves to retain his title.
Zverev thrashes a forehand long to put him three points away, but the Italian’s dropshot is too easy for the German, who picks it up and puts it away. 15-15.
That is sensational from Zverev with some excellent court coverage, and Sinner goes for the dive-volley, which just misses! He conducts the Centre Court crowd, which has burst into raptures, but Sinner responds with a one-two punch. 30-30.
But that is even better from Sinner, soaking up all that Zverev pressure to bring up championship point with a devastating dropshot!
He wins it with a forehand line winner!
Two titles, in a row!
*Sinner 6-7(6) 7-6(2) 6-3 5-4 Zverev
A backhand long is not the start that Sinner wanted as he looks to get this done and avoid his longest-ever victory.
A Zverev ace down tbe middle was probably not what he had in mind, either, and it’s 30-0.
The German plunders another into the corner of the deuce box for 40-0, but Sinner has ideas other than a love hold, guiding a backhand winner into the open court.
The Zverev backhand flies long, and here’s trouble. 40-30.
But that’s expertly done, threading a backhand up the line to survive!
Sinner 6-7(6) 7-6(2) 6-3 5-3 Zverev*
You feel like Zverev is running out of ideas slightly as he blazes a forehand long, and Sinner looks to build on that break with a service hold.
He does so, to love, and he’s one game away from retaining his crown.
Break! *Sinner 6-7(6) 7-6(2) 6-3 4-3 Zverev
Simply sublime from Sinner. Superb defence off both flanks on the run as Zverev throws everything at him, and he then has the intelligence to approach and the poise for the dropshot winner. 0-15.
Zverev nets a forehand, and again, he’s furious with himself. Here comes 0-30, and this is big, you feel.
A great response from the No2 seed, though, finding a big first serve when he needs it. 15-30.
The Sinner return is excellently judged length-wise, and Zverev’s backhand is away!
Two break points... and make that one as Zverev sends down a booming ace.
The German goes for the serve-volley... and just about finishes it, with Sinner repelling everything!
But a wild forehand wide brings up a third break point... which Sinner takes with a blistering forehand winner!
Sinner 6-7(6) 7-6(2) 6-3 3-3 Zverev*
Zverev is distraught once more as an angled forehand line winner attempt just misses the line agonisingly.
That’s better, though, as his return hits the baseline for a winner, but that is delightful from Sinner, with the disguise on the dropshot to eke ahead. 30-15.
The Italian thunders down a final ace, and he holds for 3-3.
*Sinner 6-7(6) 7-6(2) 6-3 2-3 Zverev
The No2 seed races into a 30-0 lead with a big ace down the T.
A Sinner return lands at his feet and he nets the resulting backhand, and the Italian’s interest is piqued... until the German crashes down an unretunable serve down the middle.
Two game points, but he spurns the first as his backhand pass just misses the line! 40-30-.
He holds this tmie, and he’s ahead again.
Sinner 6-7(6) 7-6(2) 6-3 2-2 Zverev*
0-30 in Zverev’s favour as he puts away the smash, and Centre Court is getting excited.
A Sinner cross-court backhand winner has the server back in his own game, He crashes a big serve down the T to level proceedings, and here’s game point with another laser-like delivery... but Zverev is asking for a replay of the call... and it’s in!
One more out wide, and the defending champ is level again.
*Sinner 6-7(6) 7-6(2) 6-3 1-2 Zverev
The No2 seed zips a forehand back from whence it back for 30-0.
A wide serve brings up three game points, and that is the kind of love hold he has been craving.