Jannik Sinner retained his Australian Open title after demolishing Alexander Zverev in straight sets at Melbourne Park on Sunday.
The world No 1 was never required to hit top gear against the German second seed who never looked like making it third time lucky in Grand Slam finals.
For ice-cool Sinner, it was a clinical performance to secure major No 3, having won his first Slam in Melbourne last year before following that up with victory at the US Open.
Apart from being taken to a tiebreak in the second set, the Italian always looked in control before eventually completing a 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 win on Rod Laver Arena.
It means Sinner has joined an illustrious list of players who have successfully defended their Melbourne title this century alongside Andre Agassi, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
It is also the 23-year-old's 19th career title, stretching his win-streak to an impressive 21 matches.
Sinner admitted this win felt “very different” to last year's victory. “Coming here as defending the title is always different,” he said.
“There is the extra pressure but I enjoy it. In finals the pressure is different. It is a tough day for Sascha [Zverev]. He was a bit down and I tried to keep him up, but it's tough.
“I'm very happy, my team, we know how much we worked for this one. I felt like I started the match really well, the second set could have gone both ways. Then in the third set I tried to search for the break. I served very well today and I'm happy.
“I do struggle sometimes inside. In tennis you have days you feel worse but every day can be different.
“In my mind I know I am well prepared for tough battles and I have shown this in these two weeks.”
The fact Sinner has maintained this red-hot form is all the more remarkable considering that the shadow of a potential doping ban remains hanging over his head.
Last year, he tested positive in two separate drug tests but the decision by the International Tennis Integrity Agency to absolve Sinner of any blame has been challenged by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Wada have appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and are looking to have Sinner banned for between one to two years. The arguments will be heard at a closed hearing on April 16-17 at CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.
But for now, Sinner can put that to the back of his mind and savour his latest hard-court triumph.
It was a final somewhat lacking in quality and excitement, Sinner took the first set in 46 minutes after breaking Zverev in the eighth game.
A huge slice of luck in the crucial second set all but ended the German's resistance in the match and his hopes of winning a first Grand Slam title.
With the score at 4-4 in the tiebreak, a Sinner shot clipped the net cord before dropping over into Zverev's side sealing the vital point.
Sinner held his hands up in apology but showed his ruthless streak to secure the next to points and the set, leaving Zverev smashing his racquet on the ground in frustration at the changeover.
The 27-year-old never regained his composure with Sinner breaking for 4-2 before going on to complete victory in two hours and 42 minutes.
“First of all, I mean it sucks standing here next to this trophy and not being able to touch it,” said Zverev – who was also beaten in the 2020 US Open and 2024 French Open finals – on court.
“Congratulations to Jannik, you more than deserve it. You are the best player in the world by far. I was hoping that I could be more of a competitor today but you are just too good, it's as simple as that.
“I want to thank my team. We are trying to do all of the right work, I'm just not good enough – it is as simple as that!”
Sinner enjoyed a superlative run last year that saw him win eight titles, including those two Slams and the season-ending ATP Finals in Saudi Arabia.
He has not lost a match on hard courts at a Grand Slam since being beaten in the fourth round of the US Open in 2023 by Zverev, and has won 47 of his first 50 matches as world No 1, equalling the ATP record.
Judging by his dominance in Australia, he could well be set for an even more successful 2025, or a long spell on the sidelines if that CAS ruling does not go in his favour.
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No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
Things Heard & Seen
Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton
2/5
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
yallacompare profile
Date of launch: 2014
Founder: Jon Richards, founder and chief executive; Samer Chebab, co-founder and chief operating officer, and Jonathan Rawlings, co-founder and chief financial officer
Based: Media City, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: 120 employees
Investors: 2014: $500,000 in a seed round led by Mulverhill Associates; 2015: $3m in Series A funding led by STC Ventures (managed by Iris Capital), Wamda and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority; 2019: $8m in Series B funding with the same investors as Series A along with Precinct Partners, Saned and Argo Ventures (the VC arm of multinational insurer Argo Group)
Bert van Marwijk factfile
Born: May 19 1952
Place of birth: Deventer, Netherlands
Playing position: Midfielder
Teams managed:
1998-2000 Fortuna Sittard
2000-2004 Feyenoord
2004-2006 Borussia Dortmund
2007-2008 Feyenoord
2008-2012 Netherlands
2013-2014 Hamburg
2015-2017 Saudi Arabia
2018 Australia
Major honours (manager):
2001/02 Uefa Cup, Feyenoord
2007/08 KNVB Cup, Feyenoord
World Cup runner-up, Netherlands
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
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Price: On request
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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