Jannik Sinner is one win away from becoming the first man since Roger Federer in 2017 to complete tennis’ ‘Sunshine Double’ after a straight-sets victory over Alexander Zverev took the Italian into the Miami Open final.
The world No 2 beat the world No 4 6-3 7-6 (7-4) and will face Jiri Lehecka in Sunday’s showpiece after the Czech 21st seed thumped 28th seed Arthur Fils 6-2 6-2 in 75 minutes to reach his maiden Masters 1000 final.
Sinner – who has now won a record 32 sets in a row at Masters 1000 level – triumphed at Indian Wells on March 15 and is eyeing a second Miami Open title in three years.
The 24-year-old was unable to defend the trophy in Florida in 2025 as the tournament fell during his three-month ban after testing positive for a banned substance
Against Zverev on Friday, Sinner served 15 aces and staved off a break point while 4-3 down in the second set as he beat the German for a seventh straight time.
Sinner, who also defeated Zverev in the Indian Wells semi-finals earlier this month, said afterwards: “Coming here and trying to produce some good tennis was my main goal.
“Standing here again in the final means very much to me. It has been an incredible swing and I couldn’t be better. I’m very happy.”
Zverev has now lost his last seven matches against Sinner, including in the semi-finals at Indian Wells earlier this month
A second successive Czech winner in Miami?
Sinner will be overwhelming favourite against Lehecka, a player he owns a 3-0 record against after defeating him in their previous meeting at the 2025 French Open.
However, Lehecka – who would rise to a career-high No 12 in the rankings if he wins the title – can take inspiration from the way he demolished Fils and the fact he is yet to drop serve in the tournament.
He may also look to last year’s Miami Open final when his fellow Czech Jakub Mensik upset Novak Djokovic in straight sets.
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Highlights as Jiri Lehecka dismantled Arthur Fils to reach his maiden Masters 1000 final
Lehecka said after routing Fils: “Today was a great match. Definitely brought me a lot of confidence going into the Sunday final. I must say that it was one of the better matches that I played in my life.’
“I really trusted my game and the work I put in. It didn’t matter when but I knew it would come and today was a nice example of how I want to play.”
Sinner would become the eighth man to achieve the ‘Sunshine Double’ of winning Indian Wells and Miami in the same season, after Federer (three times), Djokovic (four times), Andre Agassi, Marcelo Rios, Pete Sampras, Michael Chang and Jim Courier.
The feat has been completed four times in women’s tennis, most recently by Iga Swiatek in 2022.
Aryna Sabalenka will play Coco Gauff in this year’s women’s final, live on Sky Sports from 7pm on Saturday.
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