Sinner knocking on the door of Federer’s Sunshine Double

Jiri Lehecka is the last obstacle to Jannik Sinner as the Italian bids to complete the hardcourt Sunshine Double for the first time since Roger Federer did it in 2017.

ATP No. 2 Sinner, who claimed the Indian Wells trophy a fortnight ago, kept a clean slate at the Miami Masters as he defeated Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6 (4).

He plays for the title on Sunday against Czech Lehecka, who booked his spot  6-2, 6-2 against Arthur Fils.

Sinner continued on his Masters hot streak as he won his 32 consecutive sets in the series and is primed for the Florida final. “Standing here again, in the final, means very, very much to me,” he said. 

Sinner was untroubled by Zverev, winning a seventh straight match against the German in a repeat of the Indian Wells semi between the pair this month.

“He played some incredible tennis, but I was serving very well in the end, especially in the crucial moments,” Sinner said. “I’m very happy, (this) means a lot to me.”

Sinner won with 15 aces, saving the only two break points he faced 

The second seed has defeated Lehecka in all three of their previous meetings; Sinner is gaining ground on rival Carlos Alcaraz in the race to return to the No. 1 ranking with the pair beginning the spring clay season within days at Monte Carlo.