Australian Open 2025 Final Highlights: Sinner beats Zverev; becomes first Italian player ever to win three Major titles

The presentation ceremony begins with Sinner offering words of consolation to Zverev.

Two-time singles champion and local legend John Newcombe is on hand to present the prestigious Norman Brookes Challenge Cup.

Damien Dumusois, the chair umpire for the final, is also honored with a token of appreciation for his role.

Next, it’s Zverev’s turn to give his speech after receiving the runner-up trophy. “It sucks to stand near (the trophy) and not being able to touch it,” the ace German player said.

Sinner serves for the championship. He starts with an overhit forehand, losing the opening point – 0-15.

The Italian quickly bounces back, firing a forehand winner down the line to level at 15-all.

An ace up the T puts Sinner ahead 30-15.

However, Sinner overcooks a forehand after a 10-shot rally, bringing it back to 30-all.

Zverev then hits a forehand return down the line, but it lands outside the tramlines – Championship point for Sinner!

With calm determination, Sinner executes a drop shot to draw Zverev in, then finishes with a perfect crosscourt backhand pass to seal the victory and claim the title!

Sinner serves to consolidate his break. After losing the opening point with an unforced error, he responds with a powerful wide serve into the ad court, leveling it at 15-all.

Zverev tries a forehand on the run but nets the shot, putting Sinner ahead 30-15.

The German overhits a forehand, and Sinner now leads 40-15, with two game points.

Zverev manages to find the line with a forehand down the line, reducing the score to 30-40.

Sinner gets stretched and nets a forehand after a strong down-the-line shot from Zverev, bringing it to deuce.

The Italian responds with a big serve up the T, but then overcooks a routine backhand, returning it to deuce.

An ace up the T gives Sinner another chance to close out the game. He seals it with a body serve, taking the game and extending his lead.

The match is slipping away from Zverev as unforced errors continue to pile up. Sinner makes a solid return off the German’s wide serve, and Zverev follows up with an error – 0-15.

Another misstep from Zverev, this time a forehand sailing long, puts Sinner ahead 30-0.

Zverev responds with a much-needed ace, wide into the deuce court, narrowing the gap to 15-30. However, a netted forehand brings up two break points for Sinner at 15-40.

The German fights back with a stunning backhand winner down the line, saving the first break point – 30-40.

But Sinner seizes the moment as Zverev overhits a forehand, giving the Italian a crucial break!

Sinner starts strong with an ace up the T, taking a quick 15-0 lead. A misfired backhand from Zverev extends it to 30-0.

Zverev tries to catch Sinner off guard with a drop shot, but the Italian rushes in and retrieves it, forcing the German into an error as he nets the volley – 40-0.

Sinner wraps up the game with a hold to love.

Sinner opens the third set with a solid serve, winning the first point as Zverev nets a crosscourt forehand return – 15-0.

Zverev responds with a stunning forehand winner down the line to level at 15-all, setting the stage for an intriguing battle as he looks to mount a comeback after trailing two sets to love.

In a 15-shot rally, Sinner’s defensive skills shine as Zverev sends a backhand down the line wide – 30-15. Sinner then follows up with a brilliant crosscourt backhand pass to bring up 40-15.

The Italian holds comfortably to take the opening game.

Zverev served first in the tiebreak, starting strong with a forehand down the line after Sinner returned a wide serve – 1-0.

Sinner responded with a wide serve into the ad court and a precise forehand volley to level at 1-1. Zverev regained the edge, finding the lines to force a forehand error from Sinner – 2-1, with a mini-break advantage.

However, Zverev’s forehand down the line went long on the next point, leveling the score at 2-2 and erasing his advantage. Sinner capitalized, taking the lead as Zverev sent a forehand wide – 3-2.

In an epic 20-shot rally, Zverev’s patience paid off as Sinner sent a crosscourt forehand wide, bringing it back to 3-3. Sinner fired a big serve up the T to edge ahead 4-3, but missed an inside-out forehand on Zverev’s second serve, leveling it again at 4-4.

Sinner regained the upper hand with a stroke of luck as his forehand clipped the tape and died on Zverev’s side – 5-4. A wide serve into the ad court left Zverev unable to return, giving Sinner a 6-4 lead and two set points.

The Italian closed it out in style, delivering a wide serve into the deuce court and finishing with a forehand into the ad court to take the second set 7-6(4).

Serving to stay in the set, Sinner starts strong as Zverev nets a backhand return – 15-0.

A wide second serve into the ad court forces Zverev’s backhand long, pushing Sinner to 30-0. However, a double fault and a failed drop shot bring the score to 30-all.

In a thrilling 21-shot rally, Sinner secures the point with a brilliant backhand pass – 40-30. He closes the game as Zverev’s crosscourt forehand clips the tape and goes wide.

Sinner holds, and the set heads into a tiebreak!

Zverev starts this crucial service game with a big serve up the T, taking the opening point – 15-0. Sinner then mishits a forehand from the baseline, giving Zverev a 30-0 lead.

An ace, wide into the ad court, pushes the German further ahead at 40-0.

Sinner manages to return Zverev’s second serve, and the German sends a forehand wide – 40-15.

Zverev responds with a powerful crosscourt forehand to close out the game, ensuring himself at least a tiebreak in this second set.

Sinner steps up to serve, needing to stay in the set. Will the pressure get to the Italian?

He opens with an overhit forehand, conceding the first point – 0-15. A netted backhand in the next rally puts him further behind at 0-30, giving Zverev a real chance.

Sinner responds with a strong wide serve, setting up an easy forehand volley to make it 15-30.

A solid serve up the T follows, and Zverev’s return fails to clear the net – 30-all.

Sinner then delivers a wide serve into the deuce court, forcing a wayward forehand return from Zverev – 40-30.

The Italian seals the game as Zverev nets a backhand return, holding under pressure.

He keeps the pressure on, forcing Sinner to scramble and drawing a backhand error from the Italian to go up 40-0.

Sinner fights back in an intense 10-shot rally, his deep forehand eliciting an error from Zverev – 40-15. However, the German closes out the game with a powerful first serve to hold.

Zverev fires an ace wide into the deuce court, bringing his tally to seven for the match and taking a 30-15 lead.

Sinner, however, responds with a quick crosscourt backhand return to win the point, leveling it at 30-all.

Trying the drop shot again, Sinner doesn’t execute it as planned, allowing Zverev to hit a backhand winner down the line for a 40-30 advantage.

Zverev then closes out the game, maintaining his lead.

Sinner starts by forcing Zverev deep before slicing in a rare drop shot for 15-0. While not perfect, it’s effective enough to remind Zverev of its potential threat. At 30-0, Sinner serves his first double fault of the match, offering Zverev a glimmer of hope.

Zverev seizes the opportunity, ramping up the intensity on his backhand to draw an error from Sinner, adding some pressure at 30-30. However, Sinner regains control, again pushing Zverev back before executing a simple but well-timed drop shot. From there, he wraps up the game confidently.

Zverev remains on the defensive, unable to break through Sinner’s control.

Sinner starts strong, moving up to 30-0, but a double fault brings it to 30-15.

Zverev capitalises on a slight opening, unleashing a stunning backhand down the line that forces a weak forehand response from Sinner, leveling the score at 30-all.

Sinner opts for a delicate drop shot, and though Zverev rushes forward, he fails to get the ball over the net, giving Sinner the advantage at 40-30.

A netted backhand return from Zverev seals the game, and Sinner holds to maintain pressure in the second set.

Zverev shows a hint of frustration as he works his way into the rally only to commit an unforced error, nullifying his efforts.

Sinner capitalizes with a sharp inside-out forehand winner, taking a commanding 30-0 lead.

The Italian then completes a swift love hold, keeping the momentum firmly on his side.

Zverev nets a forehand and walks back to his position, visibly frustrated. He seems unsettled, and his mood reflects in his game. A weak second serve leaves him rushing to the net, where he misjudges the volley, falling to 0-30. The pressure builds, and it feels like a break here could spell trouble for Zverev. Sinner lines up a forehand down the line, a shot he usually executes with precision, but uncharacteristically nets it, giving Zverev a lifeline.

Still, Zverev isn’t safe yet, and a poorly timed double fault pushes him to 15-40. He manages to save one break point with an overhead that barely lands inside, revealing how close he is to the edge. He steadies himself to reach deuce, fires an ace down the T to regain some confidence, and ekes out the game after a rally where Sinner fails to retrieve a drop shot.

It’s a vital hold for Zverev, but he has yet to unsettle the reigning champ.

Zverev starts the second set with a netted backhand, falling to 0-15, which adds early pressure. A long serve further heightens the tension. However, the German recovers well, advancing to 40-15 with solid play. Despite a miscalculated smash that sails long, Zverev stays composed and closes the game with a second-serve ace that curls beautifully down the T, securing a crucial hold to begin the set.

Sinner starts strong, using big strikes down the middle before creating a sharp angle that forces Zverev to net. A long forehand from Zverev follows, putting him under pressure. A brilliant serve out wide earns Zverev a point, but a poor volley gives Sinner ample time to line up a forehand winner down the line, securing two break points.

In response, Zverev unleashes his fastest serve of the match and follows up with another that Sinner returns long. Though Zverev can’t convert his first advantage, a powerful second serve down the middle earns him another. However, he nets a forehand, keeping the game alive.

This moment feels pivotal, and Sinner seizes it with a remarkable slide and stretch, executing a stunning backhand winner down the line that defies belief. Zverev saves the break point, but Sinner remains relentless, raising another with his consistency and precision. When Zverev attempts an impatient approach off a weak shot, Sinner punishes him with a clean passing shot.

The defending champion strikes first and is now poised to serve for the opening set.

Sinner opens with an overhead strike near the baseline, confidently putting it away for 15-0. However, a return clips the top of the net and falls on Zverev’s side. Sinner then sends a backhand just long and follows it up by netting a forehand, bringing the score to 30-all. A service winner down the T puts him back in control. Tim observes that the side to the right of the umpire’s chair, where most breaks have occurred, is heavily affected by the wind direction. Despite a brief wobble, Sinner holds after Zverev nets, and at the change of ends, Sinner asks the umpire for the return of his racket. He says he sent it to the stringer an hour ago, a request that seems like an unnecessary distraction at this stage of the match.

Zverev levels the captivating first set with two consecutive aces, holding serve in what has already been a tightly contested battle.

Sinner 3-3 Zverev

Sitting in the crowd watching Sinner and Zverev battling for the Slam is Jackie Chan and Liam Hemsworth. Several other celebrities and sportspersons are in the audience as well.

Sinner holds after a challenging game as Zverev’s forehand down the middle sails long.

Sinner 3-2 Zverev

After pushing the game to deuce, the German capitalises with a forehand winner to gain the advantage. He seals the game as Sinner’s backhand goes astray.

Sinner 2-2 Zverev

Sinner secures his service game with a commanding forehand down the right side, claiming a 2-1 lead in the first set.

Sinner 2-1 Zverev

Zverev holds his serve as Sinner’s return lands long on the baseline, bringing the score to 1-1 in the first set.

Sinner starts strong, claiming four consecutive points to secure an early 1-0 lead in the first set against Zverev.

Both the champions, World No 1 Jannik Sinner and World No 2 Alexander Zverev, have entered the court. The match is about to begin shortly.

Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev have faced each other six times, with Zverev leading the rivalry 4-2. Their most recent encounter was in the 2024 Cincinnati semifinal, where Sinner triumphed in a thrilling match, winning 7-6(9), 5-7, 7-6(4).

In the 2023 US Open Round of 16, Zverev edged out Sinner in a five-set battle, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. The 2022 Monte Carlo quarterfinal saw another close contest, with Zverev securing a victory, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(5).

Zverev also claimed wins in their 2021 US Open Round of 16 clash, prevailing 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(7), and the 2020 Cologne semifinal, where he won 7-6(3), 6-3.

Sinner’s first win against Zverev came at the 2020 Roland Garros Round of 16, where he delivered an impressive performance to win 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

Jannik Sinner’s journey to the final demonstrated his skill and consistency throughout the tournament. In the semifinal, he delivered a commanding performance, defeating Ben Shelton 7-6(2), 6-2, 6-2. The quarterfinal saw Sinner dismantle Alex de Minaur with an impressive 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 victory. In the round of 16, he faced a tougher challenge against Holger Rune but emerged victorious with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win. Sinner’s third-round match was a straight-sets triumph over Marcos Giron, finishing 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. Earlier, in the second round, he overcame a slow start to defeat wildcard Tristan Schoolkate 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-3. Sinner began his campaign with a solid win over Nicolas Jarry, securing a 7-6(2), 7-6(5), 6-1 victory in the first round.

Alexander Zverev’s journey to the final showcased his resilience and dominance on the court. In the semifinal, he faced a tough challenge against Novak Djokovic, ultimately winning 7-6(5) before Djokovic retired. In the quarterfinal, Zverev triumphed over Tommy Paul in a hard-fought match, securing a 7-6(1), 7-6, 2-6, 6-1 victory. His round of 16 clash saw him defeat Ugo Humbert 6-1, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 with a commanding performance. Earlier, Zverev dispatched Jacob Fearnley in the third round with straight sets of 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. In the second round, he dominated Pedro Martinez 6-1, 6-4, 6-1, and in the opening round, he started his campaign strong by defeating wildcard Lucas Pouille 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.