Roundup: Superb Sinner defends Australian Open title, Siniakova and Townsend claim women's doubles

MELBOURNE, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- World No. 1 Jannik Sinner cemented his standing as the dominant player in men's tennis after defending his Australian Open crown, while Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend claimed the women's doubles title on Sunday.

Wrapping up the 15-day tournament, Sinner was unstoppable and dispatched second seed Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3 in two hours and 42 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

Sinner's consistency and prowess around the court frustrated the German, slamming 32 winners as he powered to a third title in the last five Grand Slams.

The Italian joined Andre Agassi, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic as the only men to successfully defend the title in Melbourne since the turn of the century.

After his big breakout in Melbourne 12 months ago, Sinner rose to the top of the rankings and added a US Open trophy.

Sinner only lost two sets in his Australian Open title defense, but it wasn't entirely smooth sailing.

He entered the tournament shrouded under a doping cloud after he twice tested positive last year for traces of the steroid clostebol.

On the court, Sinner had to battle through illness during a physically demanding four-set match against 13th seed Holger Rune.

But he was barely challenged after that with Sinner now firmly established as the leading figure in men's tennis in the aftermath of an era ruled by Djokovic, Federer and Rafael Nadal.

"It was an amazing performance from my side. It was an amazing run again in Australia," said Sinner, who did not face a break point in the final.

Sinner was especially proud of his mental resolve to put aside the doping saga.

He had been cleared over his failed doping tests, but the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed, and a hearing is scheduled at the Court of Arbitration for Sport for April.

"As I always say, I keep playing like this because I have a clear mind on what happened," he said. "If I knew if I would be guilty, I would not play like this, and that's it."

"I still believe every time it came out in a very positive way, and I still believe it's going to be that case," the winner added.

Zverev, 27, was left flustered and helpless against Sinner's complete game. Like Sinner, Zverev had only lost two sets before the final but did benefit in the semifinals when 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic retired hurt after the first set.

The big-hitting Zverev's wait for an elusive Grand Slam trophy continues. Zverev had previously lost five-set finals at the 2020 US Open and last year's French Open, but he was completely outplayed on this occasion by a ruthless Sinner.

An emotional Zverev broke down before the trophy ceremony, and he was consoled by Sinner with a hug and words of encouragement.

"He (Sinner) said that I will definitely lift one of those trophies. I'm too good not to, that's his words," said Zverev, whose chances of an upset nosedived with 45 unforced errors.

"I'm doing everything I can, I'm working as hard as I ever did. I don't want to end my career as the best player of all time to never win a Grand Slam, that's for sure."

Sinner underlined his favoritism by efficiently rolling through the first set in 46 minutes.

Zverev gallantly hung on in the second set with his opponent smelling blood.

But Zverev was left to rue missed opportunities, with Sinner lifting his level to clinch a tense tiebreak before moving closer to victory after breaking for 4-2 in the third set.

For once, Sinner did show some nerves when closing the match on serve. But he regrouped and sealed his third major title with a superb crosscourt backhand winner before raising his arms to the sky in celebration.

Earlier, top seeds Siniakova and Townsend overcame No. 3 Hsieh Su-wei and Jelena Ostapenko 6-2, 6(4)-7, 6-3 in the women's doubles.

"I'm happy with the way that we fought mentally and were able to fight through those tough moments," said Townsend after a gripping final that lasted two hours and 25 minutes. ■