MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Jannik Sinner tested positive for a banned substance a year ago, was suspended for three months and missed the Miami Open.
The 24-year-old Italian is now on track to win his second Miami Open title in three years and become the first male player to win the Sunshine Double since Roger Federer in 2017.
Second-ranked Sinner defeated fourth-ranked Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) on Friday night at Hard Rock Stadium to advance to the Miami Open final.
“My main goal was to come here and try to produce good tennis, and it means a lot to me to be here again in the final,” Sinner said. “It was an unbelievable swing. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. I’m very happy.”
Sinner hit 15 aces and defeated Zverev seven times in a row at the ATP Masters 1000, giving him a record 32 consecutive wins. A hard court dynamo, Sinner won the first leg of the Sunshine Double by defeating Daniil Medvedev in Indian Wells on March 15th.
Sinner will be the favorite when he faces 21st seed Jiri Rehekka in Sunday’s final. Sinner has won 11 consecutive games in Miami since 2024, and although he won the 2024 Miami Open, he was not allowed to defend his title.
Despite this, Zverev was a crowd favorite, and his points in the second set in particular drew loud cheers.
The stadium erupted when the 6-foot-6 German led 4-3 in the second set and faced a break point. However, Zverev was unable to make it and hit a backhand into the net as Sinner ran away. In the second set tiebreak, Sinner lost the first point, but hit two consecutive aces to take a 2-1 lead, and the match was quickly over after Zverev’s long service return.
Sinner broke the first set 2-1. He emerged from a long rally, grabbed a break point with an overhead winner, and looped a nice forehand winner down the line to make it 3-1.
Sinner has a 3-0 record against Rehekka, her last win coming at Roland Garros in 2025.
Rehekka defeated 28th seed Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-2 early in the semi-finals to advance to the biggest ATP final of his developing career. Jakub Mencik, a Czech player from Rehecica, won last year’s Miami Open.
Rehekka will be appearing in the ATP Masters 1000 final for the first time.
“Today was a great match. It definitely gave us a lot of confidence heading into Sunday’s final,” Rehekka said. I have to say it was one of the best matches I’ve played in my life. ”
The 24-year-old Lehecka defeated the Phils in the opening match and the result was never in doubt. At match point, Rehekka hit an ace and raised his arm. Rehekka had six aces, had no double faults and did not face a break point. He has never been broken in a tournament.
