Jannik Sinner Sets Up Maiden Madrid Open Final Appearance Against Alexander Zverev

 

Jannik Sinner is in the Madrid Open final for the first time, after warding off Arthur Fils' challenge in the semi-final in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. 

The Italian world No. 1 faced significant resistance from Fils, a two-time finalist this season, at the Qatar Open and the Barcelona Open. Jannik had to dig deeper to edge past the 21-year-old. He broke for the third time at 4-4 in the second set before breaking the Frenchman's resolve. 

The opening set was not easy either. Fils saved a break-point to claim the first game. Jannik later broke twice, taking a 5-1 lead before serving out to win the set. The match was the pair's second time meeting in a major event. 

"He is one of the best players in the world at the moment," said Jannik. "I'm very happy that I played against him. He is very good for tennis, for the sport."

Fils would miss making a back-to-back Masters 1,000 final appearance after the loss. The Frenchman won the Barcelona Open, touting Andrey Rublev in straight sets. As a consequence of his performance this season, he has moved up in the ATP World Rankings to No. 17. 

Jannik, who has not reached a final in Madrid, is now set to face Alexander Zverev in the final. He has defeated the German player in four consecutive Masters 1,000 semifinals: the Paris Masters, the Indian Wells Masters, the Miami Open, and the Monte Carlo Masters. Meanwhile, the final will be Zverev's first since the last edition of the Vienna Open, which he lost to Jannik.