2nd set, 6:4, 4:2 – If there is a rally that is symbolic of this game, it is this one: Zverev doesn’t actually do anything wrong, gets to the net quickly, tries a volley on the line – but Sinner simply counters with a longline passed ball to make it 30:30. Then Zverev lands his forehand out of bounds and Sinner has the next chance to break. He uses this with a wonderful stop – because Zverev is simply far too passive here, once again. Despite good approaches, he simply leaves the match to Sinner in the crucial moments too often.
2nd set, 6:4, 3:2 – It’s just not meant to be with the Zverev break: The German starts strong, comes to the net, puts pressure on Sinner with a forehand and finishes with a volley – and has his sixth break point in the match. Now it’s getting wild: Sinner fends off the break with an ace – and Zverev no longer understands the world, bites the handle of his racket and folds his hands in prayer. Why? The German was convinced Sinner’s serve had hit the net. But for chair umpire Lichtenstein everything was fine. With the next forced error from Zverev, Sinner takes advantage and finishes with the next service winner. When going to the bank, Zverev continued to discuss things with Lichtenstein.
2nd set, 6:4, 2:2 – At least the Hamburg player gets through his serve game.
2nd set, 6:4, 2:1 – This will still hurt Zverev: he won’t be able to use three break points. At first he does it well: In this rally he is the more active one, now he lets Sinner run: First the Italian lands in the net with a forehand, then Zverev varies nicely, sends his opponent to the left corner, then again to the right corner, comes to the net, awaits Sinner’s backhand and lets it drain to make it 30-0. Then Sinner ends up out of bounds – and Zverev suddenly has three break points. Sinner fends off the first with a serve winner, break ball number two as well, and on the third he puts his serve straight into the corner and finishes with a forehand longline to make it 40:40. Then clench your fist. Now he lets Zverev run again, picks up the pace with a forehand, comes to the net and takes advantage with a volley. And he still gets the point with his tenth ace.