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Janic Ciner successfully defended his Wimbledon title with a four-set victory over French Open champion Alexander Zverev on Center Court.
The world No 1 bounced back from a heat wave in Paris in the second round at Roland-Garros to claim his fifth Grand Slam title with a 10th straight victory over Zverev – 6-7 (7-9) 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 6-4.
It was also the 100th Grand Slam match win for the Italians, who received royal approval from the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, in the front row of the royal box.
The win moved Ciner into rare company as the 10th man in the professional era to successfully defend the title, bolstering his credentials as one of the dominant players of his generation as he chases arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz’s seven majors.
“It’s amazing. To Alex – he got his first Grand Slam in Paris this year, and he was so close today,” Ciner said after his win. “If he keeps playing like this, I’m sure he’ll have this Wimbledon trophy in his hands soon.
“We both started very well, served very fast. Me and my team prepared very well. My mother had to leave the stadium a couple of times! It was an amazing final. It takes two players.
“We tried to give everything we had, I’m happy for the win, but I’m also happy with the level we played.
“Honestly there is no better place to play tennis.
“I could feel the nerves when I woke up, and it’s a very, very special day. I never take that for granted.
“This crowd has given me the most special feeling as a tennis player.”
How Cena broke Zverev to retain the title…
After losing nine straight matches and 14 sets against the Italian, Zverev knew he had to do something different and his intentions were clear from the start.
He also had a tendency to break his forehand but picked up where he left off in the semi-final against Britain’s Arthur Ferry, stepping onto the court and picking up the ball.
Cena really raised his level by destroying Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals but didn’t time the ball particularly well beforehand, and a flailing forehand cost him the only break point of the opening two sets at 4-3.
Zverev was the better player overall, and it was fitting that it was a clean forehand winner from the German that won the first tie-break.
Zverev roars with delight as he stares at his support box with fists clenched.
The contest lacked the contrast of styles that makes the clash between Sinar and the much-missed Carlos Alcaraz so compelling, but it was tight and tense, with both men’s serves missing any potential opportunities.
Zverev, who will top Alcaraz on Monday to become world No. 2, seemed to hold his edge until the next tie-break, when Sinner’s forehand clicked into gear at just the right moment and he was suddenly the player commanding the rallies.
A missed Zverev backhand on set point was greeted by an incomplete fist pump towards his team and the momentum of the second-seeded match suddenly went into the bathroom.
Zverev survived the terrible shock
Zverev recovered after taking an awkward tumble behind his baseline
Unexpectedly it was Zverev’s first look in the third set, Cena played a shaky game at a break point at 3-3, but he was lucky that his opponent stepped back from the baseline.
Zverev initially struggled with his right knee holding but Ciner raised his hand and headed around the net to continue play.
After just two break points between two and three-quarters, another came in the next game. Sinner, despite slipping midway through the point, somehow recovered to seize the opportunity, prompting Zverev to hurl his racket furiously at his colleague.
The gusty wind became an increasing factor as shadows lengthened across Center Court during the fourth set.
Cenaar has only lost to Alcaraz in a Grand Slam final and, with another chance at 3-3, he played a brilliant comeback game, driving a forehand into the corner to clinch his second break.
Zverev threw everything at Sinner as he tried to serve it out, with the 24-year-old sprawling on the court at one point after diving for a volley.
But, for most of the last two and a half years, the Italian mountain man had the answer, and he lay flat on his back after putting away the eventual winner.
Sinner vs. Zverev: The Tale of the Tape
Zverev, Germany’s first men’s singles finalist since Boris Becker in 1995, was attempting to become the first man in the professional era (since 1968) to win his second Grand Slam at the latter event.
“Congratulations to Janik, he has shown again why he is the best player in the world,” said the 6ft 6in German
“It was great to share center court with you for the final, it’s an honor to be here. Unfortunately it didn’t go my way.
“At 29, this year was the first time I really believed I could win this Wimbledon trophy.
“It’s a very special game on center court. The most unique in the whole world.”
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