Tennis: Jannik Sinner aces semi-final test against Alexander Zverev at the 2026 Miami Open

Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner will face Czechia’s Jiri Lehecka in the men’s singles final at the 2026 Miami Open on Sunday (29 March), after a sizzling showing at the service line gave him the upper hand against Germany’s Alexander Zverev on Friday (27 March).

Meeting the third seeded German in the semi-finals for the second-consecutive tournament, Sinner showed few signs of weakness against an opponent he’s beaten in six-straight encounters, extending his head-to-head winning streak to seven with a 6-3, 7-6(4) victory.

"Coming here, trying to produce some good tennis, that was my main goal," he said after the sundown showdown in Miami. "Standing here again, in the final, means very, very much to me."

The World No. 2 hardly put a foot – or ball – wrong in the semi-final clash, winning 79 percent of his first-serve points to go along with his 15 aces in the match.

Zverev tried every trick in the book to overcome the onslaught of opposing winners, taking the lead at 4-3 in the second set. But the Tokyo 2020 men’s singles champion couldn’t quite tame Sinner’s ferocious serve.

Even when an opportunity presented itself, such as a break point chance in the third game of the first set, the three-time Grand Slam finalist failed to take advantage. His inability to capitalise on those moments ultimately cost him any chance of defeating the Italian service maestro.

"He played some incredible tennis,” admitted Sinner, labeling the match a “tough encounter.” “I was serving very well in the end, especially in the crucial moments. I am very happy and it means a lot to me."

The win moves him within a match of claiming the so-called “Sunshine Double,” a superlative awarded to players who top the draw at both Indian Wells and Hard Rock Stadium.

Swiss legend Roger Federer – silver medallist at the Olympic Games Beijing 2008 – was the last man to achieve the feat in 2017.

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