For the second consecutive year Jannik triumphs at the Six Kings Slam, beating the Spaniard again in the final 6-2 6-4. The blue remains undefeated indoors since the 2023 Finals and collects another check for 6 million dollars
It may be an exhibition but beating Carlos Alcaraz for Jannik Sinner is always a pleasure. The blue is the king of the Six Kings Slam for the second consecutive year, and as in 2024 his victim in the final was the Spaniard, world number one. A clear victory, 6-2 6-4, which once again reaffirms the clear superiority of the South Tyrolean on indoor surfaces, where he has not lost since the final of the 2023 Finals against Novak Djokovic. Sinner thus once again pockets the monstrous check for 6 million dollars, obtained in only 3 hours and 29 minutes of work: that’s how long Jannik’s two challenges in Riyadh lasted overall. Not bad.
the match
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The first set is a solo by Sinner. A 6-2 in 27 minutes which doesn’t leave too much room for interpretation. The number 2 in the ranking is simply perfect: in his innings there is no play, in Alcaraz’s there is far too much play for the Spaniard. Ready, go and Sinner gets three incredible answers right and already puts the world number one in difficulty. Who, confused and stunned, gives his opponent the initial break with a double fault. You can see that it’s an exhibition, there’s also a lot of play at the net, with delicate embroideries where the winner is often Sinner himself, who shows that he has a more educated hand than you might think. Feather and iron, with the second option used by the South Tyrolean when he has to serve: in the Arabic menu for Carlos, broadside after broadside. Not much to be done, indoor is just perfect for Sinner’s characteristics, especially the Kingdom Arena: the ball slides as he likes, and with his ability to anticipate the ball he puts the opponent too much into a crisis, even if it’s Alcaraz. And in fact, at 3-1 the double break point arrives after a spectacular exchange, which Jannik converts to reach 4-1. With the serve in this partial the blue is unapproachable (55% of first serves but 91% of points when he puts it in) and he remains so until the end, with a 6-2 that allows no replies. The second set opens with a more combative Alcaraz, determined to at least give Sinner a hard time. The Spaniard doesn’t seem to be in great shape, perhaps the discomfort in his ankle doesn’t allow him to be at his best, but the problem for him seems to be different: on this type of surface, indoors, he seems unable to exploit one of his best weapons, mobility, almost canceled out by the incredible speed of the ball. At 2-2 there is the longest game of the match, where the two show why they are absolutely the strongest in the world and where Alcaraz cancels out, with miracles and with the help of the serve, five break points for Sinner. Question of time. At 3-3 Jannik gets two more break points, and this time forehand and then backhand down the line allow the Spaniard to recover with difficulty, who this time is not saved. The rest is academic. It ends with the two hugging each other at the net, happily ever after (with those checks, after all…) laughing and exchanging jokes. Sinner is the king of kings in Saudi Arabia for the second time in a row, winning the seventh match against his great rival (even if the official statistics say 5), putting 6 million dollars in his pocket