Sinner weathers IW final as Miami heat now beckons

Jannik Sinner came through with a new record in a hothouse final at the Indian Wells Masters, with the world No. 2 hoping to ride the winning momentum from his Indian Wells title into the Miami Masters.

The Italian clocked his first trophy at the Californian desert event amid soaring mid-30 C temperatures as he held off Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (6), 7-6 (4).

Victory in two hours put Sinner into elite company as one of only three men – Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are the others – to win all six hard court tournaments at the Masters 1000 level,

 Sinner now heads to Miami starting this week to try and double up in steamy and humid Florida after not dropping a set at Indian Wells.

“I’m very focused already for Miami. But it is good for a couple of days to not think about tennis so much.

“But when you have this rhythm, I also don’t want to lose it.

“Miami is going to be very important. That’s the last hard court event before the clay starts.

“When we are back in Europe, it’s completely different conditions, clay – you never know what’s happening there.”

He added: “I’m looking forward to it. We will try to perform in the best possible way and then we see how it goes.”

The winner said that challenging conditions were all just a part of the environment.

“It was hot, but it was not humid, so it makes a big difference. But I was here a week before the tournament started. There were very similar conditions as it was today. We put in very long days of practice.

“I felt very well prepared, so I was not having big issues with the weather and with the heat, which is very positive for me.

“We do definitely a lot of work in the gym (to be able to) play at this level. So I’m very happy.”

Sinner came from 0-4 down in the second set tiebreaker, sweeping aside Medvedev to earn the victory after seven straight points.

“I kept believing and kept pushing, I went for my shots a little more,” he said.

Sinner is gaining ground on No. 1 rival Carlos Alcaraz, who stalled at the semi-finals here against Medvedev..

Sinner becomes the first Italian man to reach 100 Masters wins.

Main photo:- Jannik Sinner poses with Indian Wells trophy – by ISF Ltd