Merciless Sinner wins back-to-back Melbourne titles

Jannik Sinner underlined why he is the world's best men's player by winning back-to-back Australian Open titles with a merciless victory over Alexander Zverev.

Italian top seed Sinner delivered in the decisive moments to secure a 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 win over second seed Zverev.

Despite an ongoing doping case hanging over him, Sinner has been able to block out the noise to claim a third Grand Slam title.

After sealing victory with a composed cross-court winner on his first match point, the 23-year-old calmly raised his hands into the air before walking over to celebrate with his team.

Sinner did not face a single break point against Germany's Zverev and dropped just two sets during his run at Melbourne Park.

The straight-set win was a demonstration of Sinner's relentless baseline game, physical power and mental steeliness.

Zverev, 27, did not have the tools to break him down and became increasingly frustrated as a result.

Zverev becomes the sixth man in the Open era to lose his first three Grand Slam finals, having also been beaten at the 2020 US Open and 2024 French Open showpieces.

After slumping forlornly into his chair, a visibly upset Zverev hunched forward and covered his face with a towel.