Jannik Sinner’s Madrid Open masterclass: Beats Alexander Zverev and matches 15-year record

Photo By Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images

Jannik Sinner levels up in the race with Rafael Nadal after winning his record 5th masters title

Jannik Sinner made history on Sunday, defeating Alexander Zverev in the Madrid Open final.

The Italian took down Zverev in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2, to become the first man to win five consecutive ATP Masters 1000 titles.

Sinner has not lost a match at a Masters event since Paris 2025 and is now just one trophy away – the Italian Open – from completing the Career Golden Masters.

Without Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic standing in his way this time, Sinner cruised to victory in Madrid. His dominant display also saw him match one of Rafael Nadal’s achievements from 2009.

Sinner has become the first player in 17 years to allow three games or fewer in a completed Masters final against a top-five opponent. Nadal accomplished the same thing at the 2009 Indian Wells Open, defeating Andy Murray 6-1, 6-2.

Sinner is also the first player since Nadal in 2019 to concede three or fewer games in a Masters final, regardless of opponent ranking. His win over Zverev was his ninth consecutive victory in their head-to-head, having not lost to him since 2023.

Photo by Mateo Villalba/Getty Images

Zverev’s pre-final session raises questions about mindset

Speaking on Sky Sports, Gigi Salmon shared: “When we were waiting to come on to the court, I was speaking to our colleagues from Sky Germany.”

“They were at the Zverev practice earlier today, and they said from the moment he walked on to court, he looked defeated in practice.”

“The body language was slumped; he was missing absolutely everything. Then I asked her if he’d worked with a psychologist, and she said no, he has never worked with one.”