Former world number one Jannik Sinner secured a 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 comeback victory over second seed Alexander Zverev to lift his fourth title of the year at the Erste Bank Open, the 22nd on tour overall.
After reclaiming the Vienna Open crown, the 24-year-old outlined: “It was such a difficult start in this final for me. I went a break down, had some chances in the first set but couldn’t use them. He was serving very well, but I just tried to stick there mentally and play my best tennis when it came.”
“The third set was a bit of a rollercoaster, but I was feeling the ball very well at times, so I tried to push, and I’m very happy, of course, to win another title. It’s very special,” he added.
A pulsating two-hour, 28-minute championship match saw the German player stealing the opening set 6-3 in 46 minutes in relentless fashion.
Serving big, the world number three found breathing room to convert the first break of the title match in the fourth game, courtesy of a precise backhand forcing shot and held, inching ahead 4-1.
Under heavy pressure, the Italian fended off two break points in the sixth game, holding his ground while dealing with physical issues.
From there, the Hamburg native held off the former Vienna champion, winning 72 percent of the points on his first serve, and saved all three break points he faced, striking the ball cleanly on the return.
On a 10-match winning streak in Austria, the Wimbledon champion set off his turnaround, as his adversary hit two double faults, conceding the second game of the second set.
Sinner held to love at 3-0, establishing the foundations for a dominant showing, closing out 6-3 to level the contest, forcing a decider.
The edgy match was decided by small margins in a colossal final set, with the 28-year-old elevating his level to push the top seed to the limit, seen limping at times again due to cramps in his left hamstring.
A breathtaking baseline exchange unfolded into a pivotal break in the 11th game the No. 1 Italian racquet took, charging to wrap up proceedings 7-5 with a perfect performance on serve.
In addition, he extended his unbeaten run on indoor hard courts to a 21-match winning streak.
During the trophy ceremony, the 24-time ATP titlist congratulated his rival on the win, stressing, “Currently, for me, you’re the best player in the world. What an amazing year. 4 Grand Slam finals and 2 Grand Slam titles. This week, of course, simply the best player here in Vienna.
“To your team, very well done. The last couple of years have been amazing. You continue improving. I know Jannik is the biggest part of it, but you guys have such a big part in it as well. The improvement you guys made is amazing to see. Well done and good luck.”
Both players will next head to the French capital for the Rolex Paris Masters to be staged for the first time in its history at Paris La Defense Arena.
World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz headlines the field of the last Masters 1000 of the season, which will lack the presence of 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic.