(Los Angeles) Italian Jannik Sinner, world No. 1, defeated German Alexander Zverev (No. 4) in three sets of 7-6 (11-9), 5-7, 7-6 on Sunday in the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Masters 1000, a warm-up tournament for the US Open. In the final, he will face American Frances Tiafoe (No. 27), who defeated Danish Holger Rune in the other semi-final 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-4).
In the first semi-final, Sinner suffered against a Zverev he had beaten only once in five matches, in 2020 at Roland Garros.
But, at the end of an intense and hard-fought match, he managed to pull through, notably saving two set points in the first set tiebreaker, a tiebreaker that was temporarily interrupted by rain while Sinner was leading 3-2.
He becomes the first Italian to qualify for the final in Cincinnati and will play his fifth career Masters 1000 final, his second this year after his victory in Miami last March.
“I think we each stepped up when it mattered,” Sinner said. “The tiebreaker can go either way. I just tried to stay mentally strong. Obviously I’m happy to be in the final.”
Sinner has been somewhat hampered by a right hip injury but was keen to reassure his supporters.
“Sometimes I feel it,” he said. “I’ll have to look at it after the tournament. I didn’t have much time to recover before coming here, but I’m not worried. I’m happy to play.”
For his part, Tiafoe came back from a 2-5 deficit in the third set and saved two match points. He was able to turn the tide and will play his first Masters 1000 final on Monday.
With the Associated Press