Australian Open final LIVE RESULT: Jannik Sinner BEATS Alexander Zverev in straight sets to win first Grand Slam of year
THE men's singles Australian Open final has concluded in Melbourne.
World No1 Jannik Sinner THRASHED Alexander Zverev in the showpiece match to retain his title.
The Italian was victorious in straight sets to secure his third Grand Slam from as many final attempts.
- Final result: Jannik Sinner 3-0 Alexander Zverev
- TV channel: Eurosport 1
- Live stream: discovery+
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So good he won it twice
Sinner wanted more than anything to retain this gran slam with nothing else on his mind from the build-up before the event to every point of this final.
He spoke after his impressive victory:
It is amazing to achieve these things and to share them with you guys. It is an incredible tournament, the most special grand slam. You guys are amazing, you cheered for me, I felt your love and will see you again next year.
Jannik SinnerSinner shows quality in Melbourne
Italy's Jannik Sinner played brilliantly in this final as he put in such a convincing display at the Rod Laver Arena.
He did not even face a single break point in the match.
Sinner didn't give Zverev a chance to rest as he constantly put pressure on his opponent.
A worthy champion, winning the Australian Open for the second year running.
Credit: AP 
Credit: AFP 
Credit: EPA Second best not nice feeling
The Australian Open runner-up spoke about his defeat:
First of all, it sucks being stood to this and not being able to touch it. Credit though to Jannik, you are the best player in the world and there is nobody who deserves this trophy more. I wish I could have been more competitive today. Thanks to my team, we are trying to do all of the work but I am simply not good enough. I don't know if I will ever be able to lift the trophy but I will keep coming back and trying.
Alexander Zverev
Final pairs the best in the world
It is always a treat when the top two seeds in the world make the final and it did not disappoint.
That said, Zverev will be disappointed to be on the end of a seeemingly easy 3-0 defeat.
Sinner was superb but he would have liked to have given a tougher test in attaining another Australian Open.
Credit: AFP Italian wins back-to-back titles
Jannik Sinner has defended his Australian Open crown.
Beating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6, 6-3.
You could see just how much it meant once he had played that winning shot to ensure the title was his.
He becomes the first Italian tennis player to win three grand slams.
Legend.
Credit: AFP Jannik Sinner beats Alexander Zverev 3-0
Sinner* 3-0 Zverev (6-3, 7-6, 6-3)
Zverev has yet to have a break point in this final.
One of the many reasons is it is hard to see him staging an almighty comeback in this match.
On Championship point, he plays a delightful drop shot and as Zverev returns he smashes a forehand past him to win the title.
Credit: Getty Sinner 2-0 Zverev* (6-3, 7-6, 5-3)
The German has to serve to stay in the match.
A couple of unforced errors from Sinner see Zverev go into a quick 30-0 lead.
It is not long before he has held his serve to give him a glimmer of hope.
Sinner* 2-0 Zverev (6-3, 7-6, 5-2)
Sinner wins another comfortable service game.
The points were hard fought but he just seems to have a way to draw the unforced errors out of an opponent.
He is just one game away from defending his crown now.
Sinner 2-0 Zverev* (6-3, 7-6, 4-2)
Sinnner finally grinds down the Zverev serve.
The unforced errors have started to flow for the German.
This could be a pivotal moment in the winning of the Australian Open.
Sinner* 2-0 Zverev (6-3, 7-6, 3-2)
The Italian is making such light work of his serve.
He has won all of his fourteen service games in this match.
Sinner can then just turn his attentions to breaking his opponent.
It will only take one more to become champion possibly.
Sinner 2-0 Zverev* (6-3, 7-6, 2-2)
Sinner is making his opponnent work hard to hold serve.
Despite this, Zverev holds and hangs into the set.
The world champion is starting to take the front foot now.
Credit: AFP Sinner* 2-0 Zverev (6-3, 7-6, 2-1)
Sinner is playing some wonderful tennis right now.
Zverev is too but everything he throws at the Italian is met by a yellow wall.
He wins his service game so comfortably here.
Sinner 2-0 Zverev* (6-3, 7-6, 1-1)
Zverev goes into a very quick 40-0 lead.
Sinner manages to fight back to 40-30 and you wonder if doubts come into Zverev's mind.
He manages to hold on to his own serve.
Sinner* 2-0 Zverev (6-3, 7-6, 1-0)
This is going to be a massive test for Zverev here.
Sinner is looking to stamp his dominance on this final and wins his first service game with ease.
Zverev is going to have to dig deep to try and get back into this.
Sinner* 2-0 Zverev (6-3, 7-6) [TIE-BREAK: 7-4]
Sinner takes the set and that will hurt Zverev.
This is fantastic stuff from the Italian in the tie-break.
Sinner* 1-0 Zverev (6-3, 6-6) [TIE-BREAK: 6-4]
The Italian is one point away from the second set.
He takes the advantage as a shot clips the tape and drops over the other side dead, much to the frustration of Zverev.
Sinner 1-0 Zverev* (6-3, 6-6) [TIE-BREAK: 4-3]
A point apiece for the two players from the Sinner serve.
It was important for the Italian that he kept his lead in the tie-break.
Sinner* 1-0 Zverev (6-3, 6-6) [TIE-BREAK: 3-2]
What a response from the world number one.
He wins both service points of Zverev to turn this tie-break on its head.
Sinner 1-0 Zverev* (6-3, 6-6) [TIE-BREAK: 1-2]
After winning the first point of the tie-break on his own serve, Sinner replies with a point.
However, just before Zverev takes serve he manages to win an all-important break point.
Sinner* 1-0 Zverev (6-3, 6-6)
Sinner is getting some good accuracy on his second serves.
As it kicks up on this occasion, it surprises Zverev, who sends his shot long.
The Italian tries a drop shot but gets it wrong and sends it into the net.
Zverev finds himself at 30-30 in the game.
An unbelievable rally from the pair, exchanging drops shots, lobs and every shot in between see Sinner win the points to go 40-30.
He wins the game to take us into a tie-break.
Sinner 1-0 Zverev* (6-3, 5-6)
Zverev makes easy work of his own serve.
Dropping only a single point, he retakes the lead in this second set.
It is all over to Sinner now to see if he can hold to take it to a tie-break.
Sinner* 1-0 Zverev (6-3, 5-5)
Zverev gets himself into a great position as he wins the first two points of the Sinner service game.
Sinner shows just why he is the world number one as he immediately gets himself back to 30-30.
When he has got his first serve in, he has not dropped a point.
He uses that to his advantage as he holds on to draw the set level.
Sinner 1-0 Zverev* (6-3, 4-5)
Just what Zverev needed in this set.
He wins the first three points of the game and takes the pressure of his own service game.
Sinner tries to mount a comeback but a deep serve from Zverev sees the world number one send his return long.
Credit: Getty Sinner* 1-0 Zverev (6-3, 4-4)
What a fantastic point to get this game started.
Zverev is looking to force pressure and comes into the net to follow up a great shot but a sublime passing shot from Sinner beats him all ends up.
The Italian wins his service game with ease once again.