Jannik Sinner beats Lehecka to seal Miami Open crown
Miami, March 30
Jannik Sinner etched his name into history, clinching the Miami Open to complete the coveted 'Sunshine Double' in dominant fashion.
The Italian outclassed Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-4 in the hard-court final, becoming the first man since Roger Federer in 2017 to sweep both Indian Wells and Miami in the same season, and the first ever to achieve the feat without dropping a single set across the two tournaments.
Sinner stretched his streak to 34 consecutive sets won at the ATP Masters 1000 level, a run that began at last year's Paris Masters, while improving his season record to an impressive 19-2.
"It means a lot to me. [Winning] the Sunshine Double for the first time, it's incredible. It's something I never would've thought [to win] because it's difficult to achieve. We made it somehow, so I'm very happy," Sinner said after winning the match as per the ATP Tour website.
After a 90-minute rain delay, Sinner wasted little time asserting control, quickly making inroads against Jiri Lehecka, who had arrived in the final without being broken all fortnight, saving all nine break points he faced across five matches.
The Italian, a 26-time tour-level titlist, struck early with a break in the Czech's second service game and piled on relentless pressure, carving out 11 break-point opportunities over the course of the match.
Lehecka attempted to mount a response, racing to a 0/40 lead in Sinner's next service game, but the Italian showcased his composure under pressure, firing five consecutive first serves to escape unscathed.
Across the one-hour, 33-minute contest, Sinner dictated proceedings in the forehand-to-forehand exchanges, consistently forcing Lehecka to strike above shoulder height on that wing. While the Czech looked to be proactive by approaching the net, winning an impressive 13 of 19 points, it ultimately proved insufficient against a clinical and near-flawless Sinner.
Sinner now trails World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz by 1,190 points in the ATP Rankings.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As a tennis fan in Mumbai, it's thrilling to watch. But honestly, I feel a bit for Lehecka. He played a great tournament, saved all break points until the final, and then ran into an absolute buzzsaw. Sinner was just on another planet. That forehand was brutal.
Incredible consistency! 34 consecutive sets at Masters level? That's a mental fortress. It's inspiring for young athletes here in India. Shows what discipline and a strong team can achieve. Hope our Indian players can learn from his work ethic. 🎾
While Sinner's win is impressive, the article focuses only on stats. Would have liked more on his journey or how he handled the rain delay. The mental aspect is key in our humid Indian conditions too. Still, a historic win for sure. Congrats to him!
The rivalry with Alcaraz is heating up nicely! Only ~1200 points behind. As an Indian fan, we love a good sporting duel. Hope they face off in the clay season. Sinner's game looks solid on all surfaces. The next few Slads are going to be epic.
Watching from Delhi. That stat about forcing Lehecka to hit forehands above shoulder height is a masterclass in tactical tennis. It's not just power, it's smart play. Reminds me of how Federer used to dismantle opponents. The new king of hard courts is here.
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