MELBOURNE, Australia — Jannik Sinner beat Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3 in the Australian Open final at Melbourne Park Sunday. The No. 1 seed prevailed over the No. 2 seed in a match ultimately decided by Zverev’s discomfort when coming forward, Sinner’s underrated first serve, and a kiss of death from the net.

Facing Sinner reminded Alexander Zverev of trying to solve the challenge presented by the 24-time major champion Djokovic.

Jannik Sinner, right, of Italy holds the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after defeating Alexander Zverev of Germany in the men’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Everything that Jannik Sinner means to the summit of men's tennis could be temporarily wiped away in just a few months.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner beat No. 2 Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 on Sunday to win the Australian Open for the second straight year. Sinner is the first Italian to win three Grand Slams, as he also won the 2024 US Open.

Jannik Sinner has overcome some third-set cramping to beat Ben Shelton 7-6 (2), 6-2, 6-2 to return to the Australian Open final as he pursues a third Grand Slam title.

In an interview with 'Sky Sport Italy' after the AO final, former ATP ace Ivan Ljubicic analyzed Sinner's triumph in detail: "The difference between him and the other players has become even clearer. I believe that this victory in Australia will give him further confidence for the rest of the season."

Zverev got his spot in the Australian Open final — play is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. local time (3:30 a.m. EST) on Sunday — when 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic stopped playing because of a leg injury just one set into their semifinal on Friday.

Jannik Sinner retained his Australian Open title with an emphatic 6-3 7-6(4) 6-3 win over Alexander Zverev on Sunday, breaking new ground for Italian tennis and leaving his German rival smarting after a third Grand Slam final defeat.