Jannik Sinner outclasses Alexander Zverev in Paris to move within one win of reclaiming No. 1

annik Sinner secured his spot in the Paris Masters final after crushing Alexander Zverev 6-0, 6-1. The 4-time Grand Slam champion obliterated his rival – with the German appearing to have physical problems – and continues his run for the title. In the final this Sunday, he will face Félix Auger-Aliassime – whose appearance in the final virtually assures his presence at the ATP Finals.

Zverev had a complicated quarter-final match against Daniil Medvedev, lasting over two and a half hours and finishing close to midnight on Friday. Today, around 4 p.m. local time, he had to take the court again to face the World No. 2.

The first set was a true statement from the Italian; for every ball Zverev proposed, Sinner had the solutions. The German started on serve, but Sinner quickly took an opening break. With impeccable serving, Sinner never faced difficulties when he had the responsibility – winning 90% of points on his first serve against just 47% for Zverev.

The German had a set to forget, as his serve never came together. Sinner secured a total of three consecutive breaks and gave his opponent no chances on serve. Sinner took the set 6-0—curiously, for someone so dominant, his first bagel in over two years.

At the start of the second set, Zverev had the possibility to reset his game, and after saving a new break point against him, he started with the advantage by defending his serve for the first time. The German encouraged himself early, but his hopes quickly faded amid physical problems. Sinner took a break in the third game, took the 2-1 lead, and the medical time-out for Zverev arrived.

Although the German returned to the court, he was unable to compete much from then on. Sinner took 16 of the next 21 points, securing two more breaks and closing the set 6-1. The Italian finished with impressive numbers against the World No. 3, conceding no break points, winning 77% of service points, and 61%of return points. 6-0, 6-1 for the Italian, who will go for another title this Sunday.

For Sinner, it was another notable performance and the most dominant during his time in Paris. The 23-year-old star will once again have the possibility to return to World No. 1 this Sunday when he faces Félix Auger-Aliassime, who, with notable campaigns in recent months, managed to advance to No. 8 in the ATP Race, and whose possibility of playing in the ATP Finals is virtually assured.

Sinner will be seeking his 4th Masters 1000 title and his 5th title of the season this Sunday. The Italian and the Canadian have an H2H of 2-2, although Sinner has been victorious in their last two encounters, both in recent months (Cincinnati Open quarter-finals, US Open semi-finals).