Sinner Raises Alcaraz Stakes With Historic 'sunshine Double'

When Sinner mislaid to his Spanish rival successful September's US Open final, he candidly talked astir needing to bring much assortment and unpredictability to nan court.

But since falling to Novak Djokovic successful nan Australian Open semi-finals, and past Jakub Mensik successful Doha, Sinner's occurrence has travel down to nan improved reliability of his work game.

Metronomic precision pinch his opening changeable laid nan level for his Miami victory.

Hitting 70 aces complete six matches was nan highest tally of his profession successful a three-set tournament. Only erstwhile did he driblet a work game.

Against Lehecka, Sinner won 92% of his first-serve points. How he overcame his only infinitesimal of existent peril underlined nan effectiveness of his serve.

Trailing 0-40 and facing 3 break points erstwhile 2-1 up successful nan first set, Sinner pulled retired 5 inch-perfect first serves which Lehecka could hardly get a drawstring on.

It was reminiscent of Roger Federer astatine his best, capable to relieve unit and deflate opponents by serving his measurement retired of trouble.

No wonderment immoderate person claimed Sinner has entered his 'servebot' era.

That is not nan only area wherever he is looking to make improvements, though.

Sinner was described arsenic "one of nan champion shot strikers nan crippled has ever seen" by Miami quarter-final force Frances Tiafoe - yet is still looking to summation aggression pinch his forehand.

That mightiness look ridiculous fixed nan powerfulness and precision which Sinner already possesses from that wing.

As Sinner looked to unafraid nan opening group against Lehecka, he doubly dispatched first serves from nan Czech pinch crushing cross-court forehands.

It was impervious of Sinner's desire to put his ft down astatine nan correct clip and sent a clear connection to his rivals.

"The feline has zero weakness - that's why he has won truthful much," said 2013 Wimbledon women's champion Marion Bartoli, analysing nan last for Sky Sports.