Sinner wins Miami Open, becomes first man since Federer to complete Sunshine Double
Miami, March 30
Jannik Sinner defeated Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-4 to win the Miami Open and complete the 'Sunshine Double'.
The Italian defeated Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-4 in the final to become the first male since Roger Federer in 2017 to win Indian Wells and Miami in the same season. Moreover, Sinner is the first player to achieve the feat without dropping a set across the two events.
The 24-year-old won Indian Wells for the first time in his career and became the eighth different male player to win the 'Sunshine Double'. Novak Djokovic and Federer have completed the feat on multiple occasions.
Eigth different men who have completed the Sunshine Double at least once: Jim Courier (1991), Michael Chang (1992), Pete Sampras (1994), Marcelo Rios (1998), Andre Agassi (2001), Roger Federer (2005-06) and Novak Djokovic (2011, 2014-16).
Double for the first time, it's incredible," Sinner said in his on-court interview. "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 also extended his record to 34 consecutive sets won at ATP Masters 1000 level, dating back to the start of last year's Paris Masters. He improved to 19-2 this season, according to the ATP Win/Loss Index.
On Sturday, Aryna Sabalenka completed the 'Sunshine Double'. After Sinner's triumph, it marked the fourth time that an ATP player and a WTA player have completed the Sunshine Double in the same year.
The first time it happened was in 1994, when Sampras and Steffi Graf each triumphed in Indian Wells and Miami. In 2005, Federer and Kim Clijsters each won both events, while in 2016 Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka both secured Sunshine Double glory.
A seven-time ATP Masters 1000 champion, Sinner now trails World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz by 1,190 points in the ATP Live Rankings after making a statement this month.
Lehecka, 24, was competing in his maiden ATP Masters 1000 final. The Czech is set for a new career-high No. 14 in Monday's ATP Rankings.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As a tennis fan in Mumbai, this is the kind of historic run we live for. To be mentioned alongside Federer and Djokovic for this feat... wow. His game is so clean and powerful. Hope he can challenge for the World No. 1 spot soon!
Incredible player, no doubt. But respectfully, the article focuses so much on the men. Sabalenka did the Double too! The WTA achievement deserves equal headlines. Both are amazing accomplishments. 🙌
The Sunshine Double is one of the toughest things in tennis. The heat, the travel, the pressure... Sinner made it look easy! His backhand is a thing of beauty. Waiting for him to play in India someday.
That list of names is legendary company. Courier, Sampras, Agassi, Federer, Djokovic... and now Sinner. He's truly arrived. Also, big shoutout to Lehecka for a great run to his first final. The competition is fierce!
So happy for him! He seems like such a grounded guy. His hard work is paying off. 34 consecutive sets at Masters level? That's a crazy stat. The clay season will be interesting now. Can he carry this form?
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