Miami Open 2024: Jannik Sinner beats Grigor Dimitrov to claim title and move to No. 2 in world rankings
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Updated 31/03/2024 at 22:40 GMT
It was third time is the charm for Jannik Sinner on Sunday afternoon in Florida as he claimed the Miami Open title after losing the 2021 and 2023 finals. Not only did Sinner claim his second Masters 1000 title in Miami, he also moved into the world No. 2 position, overhauling rival young star Carlos Alcaraz. Sinner defeated Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets, blitzing the Bulgarian in 74 minutes.
Watch highlights as Sinner beats Dimitrov to win Miami Open title
Jannik Sinner claimed the Miami Open title and the world No. 2 ranking with a 6-3 6-1 win over Grigor Dimitrov on a delightful sunny afternoon in Florida on Sunday.
After losing the final to Hubert Hurkacz in 2021, and Daniil Medvedev in 2023, this was Sinner's third attempt to close out the Miami Open title, but unlike in previous years, he arrived in Miami with title-winning experience.
Since last year's defeat to Medvedev, Sinner has won both his first ATP Masters 1000 title (the 2023 Canadian Open) and January's Australian Open.
Sinner even got the chance to avenge that defeat in Miami, beating Medvedev in the semi-finals, 6-1 6-2.
When the final got underway, Dimitrov appeared to have brought his best form. The players swapped service games, but the Bulgarian was in the zone. His second service game was won superbly to love, with Sinner little more than an interested spectator.
From there though, Sinner sunk his teeth into the match and never let go.
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He levelled the set at 2-2 and then produced a brilliant game of his own to pull off the first break of the match.
After holding to move into a 4-2 lead, he went so close to another break but Dimitrov won a breathtaking game to remain in touch.
After another successful Sinner hold, Dimitrov was up against it again in his next service game.
The Italian had two set points on his opponent's serve and, while Dimitrov defended the first, he could do nothing to stop Sinner taking the set after 43 minutes on the court.
Sinner began the second set as he had left off the first, blasting past Dimitrov in the opening game, sealing it with a smash at the net.
Dimitrov held to love in response, but that was the high point of the set for him.
Sinner blitzed through his next service game before breaking Dimitrov's serve in the following game. At 3-1 up, Sinner held easily before breaking again.
With less than half an hour gone in the second set, Sinner stepped up to serve for the match, doing so once again to love.
In his on court interview after the match, Sinner spoke with delight.
He said: "I’m really proud, obviously about the result. I started off struggling a little bit this week. I hadn’t had so much time to adapt on this court, so I knew it was going to be tough. But I got better as the week went on.
"Today’s performance was really good. I’m just proud of how I handled the situation, it was not easy. Yeah, it was a really good two weeks.”
Reflecting on his victory at the third time of asking, Sinner continued: "This was my third time in the final and I figured this would be the lucky one. I’m really happy I can hold the big trophy.″
The new world No. 2 continued: "This result is such a huge pleasure to share with my team, my family and all the people watching at home. The atmosphere has been amazing throughout the whole 10 days.
"This is one of most special tournaments for me. It's good to be back here and I hope to see you all back here again next year."
Speaking to Sky Sports, Sinner went on: "It has been a very special week for me. I have faced very difference situations on the court, different opponents. I was full of energy today.
"I'm very happy to now be No. 2 in the world, but it's just a number... For me, the most important thing is trying to execute my game plan in the best possible way - which I've done. I'm very happy."
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