LONDON (AFP) – Jannik Sinner was at his clinical best as he successfully defended his Wimbledon title with a bruising four-set victory over French Open champion Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s final._x000D_
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The world number one recovered from losing the first set in a match largely dominated by serve, eventually wearing Zverev down to secure a 6-7 (7/9), 7-6 (7/2), 6-3, 6-4 win._x000D_
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“You can feel the nerves on Sunday morning, it is a very special place,” said Sinner, who saved the only break point he faced on Centre Court._x000D_
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“You never know how many times you are going to come back. I never take it for granted.”_x000D_
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The Italian was rewarded for his perseverance in an attritional contest with his first Grand Slam title since lifting the trophy at the All England Club 12 months ago._x000D_
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Sinner’s fifth Slam crown is just two behind the majors tally of his injured rival Carlos Alcaraz after notching his 100th match win at tennis’ four biggest events._x000D_
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He hit 58 winners against only 25 unforced errors in three hours and 46 minutes on Centre Court, refusing to buckle against an in-form Zverev who brought a 13-match winning streak at the Slams into the final._x000D_
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“It has been an amazing final once again. It takes two players,” added Sinner, who banks the winner’s prize of £3.6 million ($4.8 million)._x000D_
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“I’m very happy about the win but I’m mostly very happy about the level we played.”_x000D_
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Sinner has banished the memories of his shock second-round exit from the French Open at the hands of Juan Manuel Cerundolo when he blew a two-set lead last month._x000D_
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The closest Sinner came to crashing out of Wimbledon was in the first round when he had to come from behind to beat Miomir Kecmanovic in five sets._x000D_
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It was plain sailing from then on for Sinner, who has become a fearsome force on grass._x000D_
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The 24-year-old now boasts a remarkable 44-3 win-loss record this year after winning his sixth title of the season._x000D_
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Zverev had never even reached the quarter-finals in nine previous visits to Wimbledon._x000D_
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He managed to take a first set off Sinner in seven meetings, but could not kick on to snap a now 10-match losing streak against a seemingly unbreakable rival._x000D_
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Zverev, who was bidding to become the first German man to win the trophy since Michael Stich in 1991, will climb above Alcaraz to second in the ATP rankings on Monday._x000D_
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“At 29 years old, it’s the first time I actually believe I can win this trophy,” said the second seed._x000D_
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ZVEREV LEFT FRUSTRATED_x000D_
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Zverev saved the only break point of a tight first set dominated by serve as it went to a tie-break._x000D_
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The first 15 points of the breaker went with serve, with both men saving set points, before Zverev clinched it with a fizzing forehand winner._x000D_
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There were no break points in the second set as the players again efficiently bludgeoned their way to 6-6, but this time Sinner stepped it up in the tie-break to level the match._x000D_
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Zverev finally created his first break point in the seventh game of the third set, but slipped when Sinner dinked over a drop-shot winner._x000D_
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He clutched his knee and Sinner crossed the net to check on his opponent as the crowd held its breath, but was helped to his feet by the Italian._x000D_
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Sinner made his move in the next game as Zverev’s serve finally broke down._x000D_
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Zverev threw his racquet angrily across the turf after looping a forehand long on a break point which had seen Sinner lying flat on the turf earlier in the rally._x000D_
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The top seed immaculately served it out to love, sealing a two-sets-to-one lead with an ace._x000D_
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Zverev gamely tried to prolong the contest but his race was run when Sinner broke for a 4-3 advantage in the fourth set._x000D_
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He wrapped up the title on serve despite a dramatic final game featuring arguably the two best rallies of the match, falling to the turf in celebration after slapping away a forehand winner on his first match point.
