Jannik Sinner becomes first teenager to reach the Miami Open men's singles final since Novak Djokovic in 2007 with victory over Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut; the Italian will face Poland's Hubert Hurkacz in Sunday's final
Saturday 3 April 2021 08:26, UK
Jannik Sinner made it through to his first career ATP Masters 1000 final at the Miami Open where the Italian teenager will meet Poland's Hubert Hurkacz in Sunday's showpiece.
The 19-year-old was made to work for his breakthrough moment as he triumphed 5-7 6-4 6-4 against Roberto Bautista Agut in a contest lasting just shy of two and a half hours.
Sinner saved four break points at 3-3 in the second set as he became just the fourth teenager to reach the final in tournament history.
Sunday's match will be Sinner's second ATP Tour final of the year after he won the Great Ocean Road Open at the 250 level in February.
Friday was his second three-set victory over Bautista Agut in recent weeks, having also upset the Spaniard at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships last month.
"I think obviously it's a great result here, but first I have one more match in front of me," said Sinner. "The other thing is that it doesn't mean anything. Obviously it's very nice to be part of this final, to play a final, to play for a win, but I just try to improve every day. That's for my next years. That is still the main goal. Just trying to practice day after day with the right mentality. Then we will see in next years or in next months what's coming.
"Obviously it can be a great week for me. It is a great week for me, but the work has to go on. Obviously it's nice but it doesn't mean anything."
Sinner will face Hubert Hurkacz in the final following the Pole's upset of fourth seed Andrey Rublev 6-3 6-4.
Hurkacz burst out of the gates against the Russian, opening up a 5-1 lead in the first set before Rublev managed to claw two games back.
But Hurkacz ultimately held on to seal the first set in 40 minutes.
The second set was much of the same, with Hurkacz taking an early break and riding the momentum to clinch the biggest win of his burgeoning career.
"Obviously I was just trying to work on my game and play my best tennis. Luckily and happily I'm here in the finals now," said the 24-year-old.
And on facing his friend Sinner in the final, he added: "Jannik, he hits the ball very hard from both of the sides. I have to try to stay aggressive and try to play my best tennis."
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