By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Sunday, March 31, 2024
Jannik Sinner soared through the final five games destroying Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 6-1 to capture his maiden Miami Open and rise to world No. 2.
Photo credit: Miami Open/Hard Rock Stadium
Streaking forward, Grigor Dimitrov recoiled as a sliding Jannik Sinner smacked a jolting pass for the break.
Safe space shrinks to a sea shell’s size when Sinner is in full stride across the net.
A ruthless Sinner soared through the final five games destroying Dimitrov 6-3, 6-1 to capture his maiden Miami Open crown today.
A near-flawless performance propels Sinner to world No. 2.
“It’s one of the best tournaments,” Sinner said. “The atmosphere has been amazing throughout the whole [tournament]. his is one of the most special tournaments for me…
"I made final four years ago so it’s good to be back and hope to see you all back next year.”
On the strength of ballistic ball striking, Sinner simply overwhelmed all-court artist Dimitrov giving the Bulgarian little time to breathe or blink. Sinner won 21 of 24 first-serve points, saved the only break point he faced, and commanded the center of the court in a 73-minute triumph.
Talk about elevation: Sinner shredded Daniil Medvedev, 6-1, 6-2 in the semifinals and obliterated Dimitrov over the final set-and-a-half today.
"It has been a great week starting off not feeling that great because coming from Indian Wells to here is completely different conditions and circumstances,” Sinner told Tennis Channel’s Prakash Amritraj afterward. “But I just tried to stay confident in every match knowing in my mind if I get through, maybe I find myself much better.
“That’s what happened. I raised my level dramatically for semis and final, which I’ve shown on the court. So I’m really, really happy and obviously the result is amazing.”
The 22-year-old Sinner raised his 2024 record to 22-1 becoming the first Italian to win the Miami Open and the first Italian to ever rise to the world No. 2 ranking.
Make no mistake, Sinner is playing the best tennis of any man in the world.
Facing the dynamic Dimitrov today, Sinner delivered a level the man who has brought the one-handed backhand back to the Top 10 could not match. Sinner hit 15 winners against just nine unforced errors.
“[Jannik] he’s been exceptional throughout the whole year, such an amazing tennis game, so congrats so you congrats to your team,” Dimitrov told Sinner afterward. “It’s a pleasure to watch, definitely not to play. Even though I was no match today, I’ve really learned to embrace this tournament.
“It’s been a difficult run out here throughout the years, this year I was so determined to do well that I almost did too well. Even though I’m not the winner today, I feel I’ve won. You guys have embraced me a lot this year. It’s been extremely special to play in front of you, all these night matches, I’m just very grateful and thank you.”
Easter Sunday is the latest championship chapter in Sinner Season.
Sinner has won 25 of his last 26 matches, capturing his third title of the season just three months into the new year. Sinner is the first man under age 23 to win three titles in the first three months of a season since Andy Murray back in 2009.
"I think it's just clearly that's his time of prime tennis that he's playing," Dimitrov said of Sinner afterward. "Can he play any better? I don't know. He's the one to show that. But at the moment that he's been able to really put so many matches back to back with the same level, so all credit goes to him.
"And he is the best player right now in the world."
Contesting his third career ATP 1000 final, Dimitrov drilled an ace helping him issue a love hold to open. Firing his first serve with accuracy, Dimitrov stamped a second straight love hold for 2-1.
Sinner dodged a break point in the fourth game then made his move in the fifth game.
Exploiting a Dimitrov double fault, Sinner pumped a pair of passes, including roping a forehand pass down the line to crack the first break for 3-2. Sinner held up his hand in apology as his return had skimmed the net.
Three-time Miami finalist Sinner stung his third ace confirming the break at 15 for a 4-2 lead 24 minutes into the match.
The 2017 ATP Finals champion Dimitrov had dropped serve only twice in tournament wins over Alejandro Tabilo, Yannick Hanfmann, Hubert Hurkacz, Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev. Dimitrov saved a break point and held in the seventh game on the strength of forehand strikes.
Elevating his play, Sinner spun a diagonal forehand for double-set point.
Throwing down an ace, Dimitrov saved the first set point.
On the second set point, Sinner bounced sideline to sideline sliding into a slick backhand pass down the line to snatch a one-set lead with his second break.
The second-seeded Sinner won 13 of 13 first-serve points and began dictating baseline rallies in wrapping a clean 42-minute opening set.
Persistently pounding the Bulgarian’s backhand wing, Sinner was effective cornering Dimitrov on the backhand side then reversing direction to the forehand. Sinner rattled out a pair of errors earning the first break of the second set for 3-1.
A drained Dimitrov set up a smash but sent a wild overhead well wide as Sinner snatched his fourth straight game for a 5-1 lead.
On championship point, Sinner smacked a backhand winner down the line closing his 13th career championship, including his second ATP Masters 1000 championship.
Rising to No. 2, Sinner is aiming to elevate even higher.
"We know that we have to improve a couple of things,” Sinner said. “Hopefully, it’s going to happen because I have to improve. Because the opponents, they’re gonna come for me, they’re gonna play freely. They’re gonna hit bigger and harder so I have to be ready.
"Also, mentally I have to be ready. Now, new chapter. Clay is coming, usually I struggle where a little bit so lets see what I can achieve this time. Until now, the season has been nearly perfect. I wouldn’t expect it to be like this since the beginning of the year, but that’s what happened and now I’m just living the moment."