AO 1 vs 2: Zverev’s dominant first serve & adaptable defensive game VS Sinner’s high percentage of service games held & service points won | Tennis News

While the big-ticket rivalry and faux-final of Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz delivered on the goods, the Australian Open has managed to line up a proper 1 vs 2 real final on Sunday as well. For the first time since 2019, the top two seeds will face off at 2 pm in the men’s singles final at the first Grand Slam of the year.Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev are controversial figures in their own right, two figures who carry debatable legacies into the final.
Here’s how the rivalry stacks up according to ABC Tennis:
Sinner is German-speaking Italian from near the Austrian border of Dolomites. A sword of a doping infringement hearing hangs on his head even as he is looking for his second-straight Norman Brookes Challenge Cup and third-straight hard court Slam title hoping to cement his spot as the best current player in the world, ahead of the fading Djokovic and popular Alcaraz. Till a year back, the world’s most well-rounded player had only won a single Masters 1000 event, before 2024 lit up his career as he won more tournaments (eight) than he lost matches (six).
Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates after defeating Ben Shelton of the U.S. in their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Friday. (AP)
Zverev is the son of two elite Soviet-era tennis players, who followed his decade-older brother, Mischa, a former Top 25 into the game. At 198cm and long levers able to keep almost any ball in play, he poses a challenge to Sinner on physicality. However he has had to manage playing with type 1 diabetes — a challenging condition. Zverev moved from juniors to seniors Top 20 in quick time, but the Grand Slam victory has narrowly eluded him, having lost his first two finals to date. As per ABC, Zverev maybe the best men’s player in the world not to have won a grand slam. Allegations of assault on a former partner, hang on his head.
Form at AO
Sinner has barely faced any hurdles through the last two weeks, though he looked disoriented and tremuloys against Holger Rune, who briefly had the upper hand on the Italian. Australian Tran Schoolkate also saw hope, and then was squished promptly, as Sinner turned around situations to his advantage.
Alexander Zverev was left furming after the chair umpire stopped play due to a feather at the Australian Open on Tuesday. (AP)
Zverev might have benefitted from extra rest after Djokovic retired from his semifinal after the first set.
Sinner’s strengths – fewest break points conceded
As per ABC, the Italian’s ability to hold serve has been a massive strength with Sinner boasting the highest service games held percentage of any player last year, and the highest percentage of service points won. He isn’t the biggest server on tour, but his placement and immediate movement for the follow up shot is considered “sublime.” He has a great read on the angles on the tennis court, and gets into position early using his agility and balance (as big a strength as Zverev’s power) “to put balls away, or keep heavy balls in play.”
He’s not known for his aces, and his serve is sturdy. But the last season of dominance is characterised being the best in the game at defending break points, according to ABC. He has conceded the fewest break points of any top 50 player, ABC reports, making his service if not domineering but immensely dependable.
In the last 52 weeks, while percentage of service games held is 91 Sinner, it’s 89 Zverev, and Sinner has saved 72% break points while Zverev, 69 %.
Sinner’s game style – more cross than down the line
The Italian is relatively strong on both the forehand and backhand sides, as per ABC. His semi-western grip and lanky frame allow him to impart above-average power and spin on his topspin forehand, the website adds. “His speed and length allow him to get into hittable positions more often than most players. He also looks to hit cross-court more than most players rather than down the line, shifting the pace of play and angles,” ABC wrote.
Jannik Sinner plays a backhand to Ben Shelton during their semi-final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne. (AP Photo)
Sinner’s self confessed weakness – volleys at net
Speaking at the US Open last year, Sinner had admitted that he sometimes missed volleys on the net. “Shot selection sometimes is still, I feel like I can make it a little bit better. There are also some small things, the small details what makes a big difference in high level,” he had said.
For all that stringent self analysis, a stat from Tennis Abstract quotes Sinner as having won net points at the fourth highest rate last year. “Even his weakness would be a strength for most other players,” ABC wrote.
Jarring Jannik
Like against Rune, Sinner sometimes struggled to land his first serves in, which brought in the “safe serve” losing that positional advantage as per ABC. His aggression in his return game can also occasionally get away from him, though that’s just a quibble.
Zverev’s strength
Though the Major title has eluded him twice, Zverev’s game relies on “his dominant first serve and adaptable defensive game” per ABC. “Zverev mixes extreme speed on his first serve with stellar accuracy. The German is the sixth-fastest server of this Australian Open, and has landed the most first serves in play of any player who made the third round or later,” the website wrote, adding he boasts of one one of the most accurate serves in the game.
Alexander Zverev of Germany reacts after winning the first set in his semifinal match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. (AP)
He is known to control the pace of play and dictating positions on the court. “He often makes players work across court, setting up for his attacking strokes. The German hits more winners than most players on tour, set up this movement,” ABC added.
Zverev’s double handed backhand down the line beaut
The German is a rare specimen of a top-ranked player, whose forehand isnt his strongest suit. Instead his two-handed backhand – the down the line is prine. “The German is one of the few elite players who appears to prefer letting loose from what notionally should be his weaker side. His down-the-line backhand is a thing of beauty, and can catch any opponent off guard,” ABC wrote.
Zverev weakness
It’s the gaps opened his mimed forehand.
Positional vulnerabilities spring up for Zverev if he cannot harness his aggression and pick his spots. He is defensively strong but paradoxically, he can leave the court exposed if he mimes his forehand.
Alexander Zverev of Germany gestures after Novak Djokovic of Serbia retired from their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. (AP)
H2H advantage to Zverev
The two have faced off six times in the past and surprisingly, the German, four years older, has the career head-to-head advantage over the world number one. However most wins came before Sinner won a Slam in 2024 or rose to the top ranking spot.
Zverev’s ploy to come to the net was neutralized last time.
Their last battle was a teaser. “Sinner won their last encounter, a three-hour hard court epic in Cincinnati last year. Two of the three sets went to a tiebreaker, both won the Italian. That match might show how this Australian Open final may play out. The service game of both players dominate, with only nine break points seen through the match,” ABC wrote.
Zverev has the game to beat Sinner “ wearing them down and matching their strengths,” ABC says.
Expect a gruellung wringer, as that their last Grand Slam encounter — at the 2023 US Open — lasted almost five hours.