Sinner wins Miami Open, completes ‘Sunshine Double’

Jannik Sinner won the Miami Open title to complete the ‘Sunshine Double’ after adding it to his Indian Wells triumph.

The 24-year-old defeated Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-4 in the final to become the first player to win both tournaments without dropping a set.

The victory extended Sinner’s run to 34 consecutive sets won at the Masters level, placing him alongside Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal as players to have claimed three straight titles in the category.

The result also saw Sinner close the gap on Carlos Alcaraz in the rankings after the Spaniard exited in the third round. The points difference is now 1,190.

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“It has been an incredible swing for me and I’m extremely happy with the work we did to be in this position,” said Sinner.

“We had some good practice days before Indian Wells and seeing this kind of result makes me happy, as does the level we are trying to produce and the player we’re trying to achieve.”

Sinner’s performance in Miami was built on his service game, recording 70 aces across six matches and dropping serve once in the tournament.

In the final, he won 92 per cent of his first-serve points and saved three break points early in the first set with a series of first serves.

Sinner was described as “one of the best ball strikers the game has ever seen” by Frances Tiafoe.

“The guy has zero weakness – that’s why he has won so much,” said Marion Bartoli.

Attention now shifts to the clay-court season, where Sinner and Alcaraz are expected to compete for major titles.