Jannik Sinner beats Zverev to win second straight Wimbledon title

Jannik Sinner continued his impressive form by winning another Wimbledon title after bouncing back from disappointment at the French Open.

The world’s No. 1 player defeated Germany’s Alexander Zverev 6-7 (7), 7-6 (2), 6-3, 6-4 to win his second straight Wimbledon title. During the third set, Zverev appeared to struggle with a right knee injury after slipping on the grass during a crucial point.

The victory gave Sinner his fifth Grand Slam title. It was also his first tournament since his second-round collapse at the French Open, where he struggled in the intense heat in Paris.

After hitting a forehand winner on his first match point, Sinner fell onto his back on the grass in celebration.

Last year, Sinner also won Wimbledon by defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the final after missing three championship points against him in the French Open final.

The win was Sinner’s 10th consecutive victory over Zverev, who entered Wimbledon after winning his first Grand Slam title at the French Open.

In the women’s singles final Saturday, Linda Noskova defeated Karolina Muchova in an all-Czech championship match to win her first Grand Slam title.

Prince William attended the men’s final with his wife, Kate, and two of their children. The Royal Box also included actors Dustin Hoffman, Nicole Kidman and Ben Stiller.

The top two seeds were evenly matched until Zverev earned his first break point of the match at 3-3 in the third set after 2 hours, 42 minutes. Sinner responded with a drop shot, and Zverev slipped while trying to change direction behind the baseline, appearing to hyperextend his right knee.

Zverev grabbed his knee in visible discomfort, and Sinner walked around the net to help him to his feet. Although Zverev continued playing, he appeared to be limited by the injury. He threw his racket in frustration after missing a forehand, allowing Sinner to secure the first break of the match and take a 5-3 lead in the third set. Sinner then served out the set.

Before the final, Zverev had also lost 14 consecutive sets to Sinner. When he won the opening set with a forehand winner to finish a close tiebreak, he celebrated with a loud roar toward his team.

Zverev regularly served at speeds of up to 139 mph (224 kph), while Sinner responded with several well-placed aces at slightly lower speeds.

However, Sinner began reading Zverev’s serve more effectively during the second-set tiebreak, while Zverev started missing forehands.

At the French Open in late May, Sinner’s 30-match winning streak ended after he came within one game of a straight-set victory over Juan Manuel Cerundolo, who was ranked No. 56, in extremely hot conditions.

The weather was much cooler for the Wimbledon final in southwest London, with clear skies and a temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius). However, strong winds caused both players to hit several mishits during the match.

Following his defeat in Paris, Sinner underwent medical examinations in Milan and did not play another official match until Wimbledon. In the first round, he rallied from one set down to defeat Miomir Kecmanovic in five sets.

After that, Sinner did not lose another set until the final, including a dominant semifinal victory over Novak Djokovic.

Despite losing the final, Zverev will move ahead of Carlos Alcaraz to become the world’s No. 2 player when the new rankings are released Monday.

Alcaraz missed both the French Open and Wimbledon this year because of a right wrist injury.