Sinner One Step Away From First ‘Sunshine Double’ in Nine Years

The Italian overcomes Zverev and will face Lehecka in the Miami final.

March 28, 2026

MIAMI, USA – Jannik Sinner is on the cusp of history. The world No. 2 continued his dominant run through the Miami Open presented by Itaú, defeating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6(4) in Friday’s semifinal. A victory on Sunday would secure Sinner the ‘Sunshine Double’ – winning both Indian Wells and Miami in the same season – a feat not accomplished since Roger Federer in 2017.

Sinner’s mastery over Zverev is becoming a defining characteristic of his ascent. He has now won seven consecutive matches against the German, with the last four coming in straight sets and without dropping serve. This latest win extends a remarkable streak for the 25-year-old, who has now won 16 consecutive matches at ATP Masters 1000 events, capturing all 32 sets played during that run.

The match, lasting one hour and 53 minutes, wasn’t without its challenges. Zverev pushed Sinner, particularly in the second set, but ultimately couldn’t overcome the Italian’s relentless pressure and clutch serving. Sinner saved both break points he faced – one at 1-1 and another at 3-4 in the second – showcasing his ability to elevate his game when it mattered most.

“Today was a difficult match,” Sinner said after the win. “He played some incredible tennis, but I served very well at the end, especially in the key moments. I’m very happy and it means a lot to me.”

This marks Sinner’s fourth final appearance at the Miami Open, tying him with Andre Agassi, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and Pete Sampras for seventh-most final appearances at the tournament. He’s chasing Agassi and Djokovic, who both have eight.

Sinner’s path to the final wasn’t entirely straightforward. His toughest test came against local favorite Alex Michelsen in the round of 16, a 7-5, 7-6(4) victory where Michelsen became the only player to break Sinner’s serve during the tournament.

The No. 4 ranked player, who will rise to No. 3 in the rankings on Monday, faced a stern test from Zverev, who played an aggressive and proactive game. However, Sinner’s ability to consistently deliver under pressure proved to be the difference. The pivotal moment came in the tiebreak, where a missed overhead from Zverev handed Sinner the advantage.

“He played incredible tennis, but I served very well at the end, especially in the key moments,” Sinner explained. “I’m very content and it means a lot to me.”

Standing between Sinner and the ‘Sunshine Double’ is Jiri Lehecka, who reached his first Masters 1000 final with a dominant 6-2, 6-2 victory over Arthur Fils. Sinner holds a 3-0 head-to-head advantage over Lehecka, adding to his confidence heading into the final.

The final promises to be a compelling clash of styles. Sinner’s consistent power and precision will be tested against Lehecka’s aggressive baseline game. The Italian will be aiming to become the first player since Federer in 2017 to complete the Indian Wells-Miami double, a testament to his growing dominance in the sport.

Sinner enters the final with a remarkable level of confidence, fueled by his current form and his favorable record against Lehecka. The stage is set for a potentially historic Sunday in Miami.

The Miami Open final between Jannik Sinner and Jiri Lehecka is scheduled for Sunday. Fans can follow live updates and results on the official ATP Tour website and through various sports news outlets.