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. He served 15 aces against Zverev and staved off a break point while 4-3 down in the second set, beating 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.”
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.
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.
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.”
Pundits’ take
Martina Navratilova: “Lehecka looked like a veteran and played his best tennis under pressure. It was a really, really impressive performance.”
Tim Henman: “Lehecka’s level never dropped. I was waiting for there to be some loose shots but it never materialised. Fils said ‘I’m trying as hard as I can, I’m trying on every shot’ but Lehecka was too good.”
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), Novak 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. Watch the ATP and WTA Tours live on Sky Sports, with the Miami Open running until March 29.