Sinner fights off injury to win Vienna again

Jannik Sinner managed his 21st career title on Sunday while dealing with an annoying hamstring problem as the Italian won the ATP Vienna event for a second time,

The world No. 2 needed a late break to turn the screws on second seed Alexander Zverev and produce a 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 comeback win at the 500-level event in the Austrian capital

2023 Vienna champion Sinner overcame some occasional limping as his left hamstring played up,, but insured his fourth trophy of the season as he set up a break point after a 24-shot duel in the 11th game of the deciding set.

The top seed took a 6-5 lead as his German opponent returned long before the Italian served out victory a game later on the first of three match points.

Sinner said it took determination and focus to play through his muscle pain in a two-and-a-half-hour battle.

“The most important thing is to try and not give up. Stay in there, see what the situation is. You need to make the right choices at the right time, that was the key today.”

The winner of a 21st consecutive indoor match added: “Serving well was also important, to save energy/ It was a very good performance from both sides today.”

The Italian ended with 46 winners to 28 for Zverev, both firing 11 aces.

“It feels amazing,” Sinner said in victory. “I had a difficult start being a break down. I couldn’t use the chances I had in the first set

“You have to try and play your best when it counts the most. The third set was a roller-coaster but I was feeling the ball very well.

“I’m happy to win another title here – it’s very special.”

Sinner now heads to the Paris Masters where he will continue his duel with Carlos Alcaraz for year-end world No. 1 honours.