Sunshine for Sinner in Miami

Jannik Sinner waited out 90 minutes of rain before skies cleared enough to start his 6-4, 6-4 defeat of Jiri Lehecka and complete the Sunshine Double trophy sweep.

The Italian who is fast approaching a return to the top ATP ranking as rival Carlos Alcaraz hits a rough patch, won the Miami Masters a fortnight after doing the same at Indian Wells.

Sinner is the first to win the US hardcourt pair in the same season since Roger Federer nine years ago – and Sinner did it without dropping a set, winning 34 in a row while improving this season to 19-2.

“It means a lot to me.. the Sunshine Double for the first time, it’s incredible,”t he winner said.

“It’s something I never would’ve thought because it’s difficult to achieve. We made it somehow, so I’m very happy.”

The final got away to a late start with a 90 minute delay due to rain, but once on court, Sinner wasted no time in demolishing his Czech opponent in 94 minutes with 22 winners.

Sinner ended with 10 aces and broke on nine of his 11 chances to now head into the spring European clay season on a solid run of form.

The final was delayed again for 90 minutes early in the second set before the pair came back out to finish the encounter

“I tried to stay solid in very different conditions today, it was very heavy so it’s tough to go through the player,” Sinner said. 

“I tried to stay solid in important moments and I’m very happy to take this (trophy) home with me.”

Sinner now owns seven Masters 1000 titles and has closed to 1,190 points behind Alcaraz. 

Main photo:-Jannik Sinner with Miami Open Trophy – by ISF Ltd