1 Response to ao25sinner_zverev

1. Voo de Mar says:

   January 26, 2025 at 5:03 pm

   Points won by each set: | 35-25, 42-37, 30-21 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   25 % Sinner – 24 of 95
   29 % Zverev – 28 of 95

   The two highest ranked players in the world met in this final, I don’t write “the two best” because Alcaraz won two majors last year while Zverev [2] none, his very high ranking is a consequence of consistency. As opposed to his two previous major finals (US Open ’20 and French Open ’24), this time he didn’t put himself in a position to realistically think about raising the trophy. He won the toss, but chose to receive, and this defensive frame of mind stayed with him to the end 2 hours 42 minutes later. Sinner [1] was forced to play ‘deuce’ on his serve just twice, nonetheless he was relatively close to lose the 2nd set: first at 4:5 (0/30) he decided to play his first serve-and-volley action and got the point with a FH drive-volley, then at 5:6 (30-all) he was running a lot, but ultimately played a backhand down the line winner running forwards. In the crucial tie-break he got a point at 4-all as a receiver with the net-cord help, but he was proactive in that rally, so I’d say he was rewarded for a brave attitude. He broke at 4:3 in the opener and 3:2 in the last set to finish the event with a combination of FH-dropshot and BH-passing-shot. Last year he celebrated his maiden Slam title on his back in Melbourne, this year he only raised his arms in the air. Zverev seemed subdued throughout the contest, even after the 2nd set when he hit his racquet on the ground he did it in a way not to devastate it [photo]. “We worked a lot to be in this position and it is an amazing feeling to share this moment with all of you,” Sinner said to his team. “I know a part of the team is at home and my family, but it is amazing to share these feelings with you. I know Darren Cahill it is probably your last Australian Open as a coach and I am very, very happy to share this trophy with you. Everything started a little bit when I changed my combination of coaches and physio, I am very happy to have you all here.”

   Sinner’s route to his 19th title (3rd major):
   1 Nicolas Jarry 7-6(2), 7-6(5), 6-1
   2 Tristan Schoolkate 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-3
   3 Marcos Giron 6-3, 6-4, 6-2
   4 Holger Rune 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
   Q Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-2, 6-1
   S Ben Shelton 7-6(2), 6-2, 6-2
   W Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3

   Serve & volley: Sinner 2/2, Zverev 1/3
   Serve speed (1st and 2nd on average):
   Sinner 197 / 149 kph
   Zverev 205 / 170 kph

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