TENNIS – World number one Jannik Sinner became the first man to win five successive Masters 1000 titles after he produced a breathtaking display to crush Alexander Zverev 6-1 6-2 in just 57 minutes in the Madrid Open final yesterday.
The 24-year-old Italian underlined his authority on the men’s tour by becoming the first man to claim the season’s opening four Masters events, extending a run that has spanned hardcourts and clay.
Following his Paris triumph late last season, Sinner has proved to be an unbeatable force at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo and now Madrid.
It was Sinner’s 10th win in 14 meetings with Zverev and his ninth in a row since the German last beat him at the 2023 US Open.
Across that nine-match sequence, Zverev has managed only two sets.
Sinner raced through the Madrid final, turning a marquee contest into a one-sided affair and leaving little doubt about the current balance of power at the top of the sport.
“Please consider taking a break so you can leave something for us mortals,” Zverev said during the trophy ceremony.
“Playing against Sinner right now is just so hard. He leaves us no chance.”
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