Jannik Sinner battles past Zverev to win Vienna Open and keep World No. 1 dream alive

Jannik Sinner showed grit, composure, and champion’s instinct as he battled past Alexander Zverev 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 to lift the Erste Bank Open title for the second consecutive year. The win marked Sinner’s fourth ATP Tour title of the season and further strengthened his push for the world number one ranking, currently held by Carlos Alcaraz.

The 24-year-old Italian fought through cramps and fatigue to seal the victory in two hours and 29 minutes, extending his remarkable indoor winning streak to 21 matches. The triumph also made him the first player since Novak Djokovic (2015–16) to reach eight ATP finals in back-to-back seasons.

Zverev starts strong, Sinner responds like a champion

Zverev came out firing, breaking Sinner twice in the opening set to race into a 5-1 lead before closing it out 6-3. Sinner, visibly struggling with movement early on, appeared to be feeling the effects of a lingering cramp issue that forced him to retire in Shanghai earlier this month.

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But as the second set began, the Italian regrouped. He broke Zverev in the opening games, dictating rallies with his powerful groundstrokes and superior court coverage. Sinner took the set 6-3, restoring balance to the contest and reasserting his dominance indoors.

The decider turned into a physical and mental battle. Sinner began to cramp again midway through, visibly limping at times. Yet, in true champion fashion, he adjusted—taking pickle juice during changeovers, shortening rallies, and raising his aggression to stay in control.

At 5-5 in the final set, Sinner’s resilience paid off. He won a lung-busting baseline exchange, forcing Zverev to push a backhand long for the decisive break. Moments later, Sinner held serve to love, clinching the title with an emphatic ace.

Sinner: “The Most Important Thing Was to Not Give Up”

Speaking after the match, a relieved Sinner praised his opponent and his own mental strength:

“It feels amazing. It was a difficult start, and I had to really fight to stay in it. Zverev was serving well, but I tried to stay mentally strong and play my best tennis when it mattered. The third set was a rollercoaster, but I’m proud of how I handled it.”

On dealing with cramps, he added:

“The most important thing was to not give up and make the right choices at the right time. Serving well and saving energy during my service games was key.”

Another Statement Win for Sinner

With the victory, Sinner improved to 48-6 for the season, cementing his reputation as one of the most consistent players on tour. The win also leveled his head-to-head record with Zverev at 4-4 and placed him among tennis royalty—joining Roger Federer and Andy Murray as players who’ve won the Vienna title twice.

Zverev, who was aiming for his first win over a Top 5 player this year, will still take positives from his performance. His run in Vienna lifted him to third place in the ATP Live Race to Turin, confirming his qualification for the Nitto ATP Finals alongside Sinner, Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic.

What’s Next for Sinner

Sinner now turns his focus to the Rolex Paris Masters and the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals, where he’ll look to close 2025 on a high—and perhaps make a final push for that coveted World No. 1 ranking.

As it stands, one thing is clear: Jannik Sinner is no longer just a rising star—he’s a defining force in modern tennis.

SportsLigue