Who: Jannik Sinner vs Alexander Zverev
What: Australian Open men’s singles final
Where: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia
When: Sunday, January 26 at 7:30pm (08:30 GMT)
Follow Al Jazeera’s live build-up before our text and photo stream of the match.
Defending champion Jannik Sinner seeks back-to-back Australian Open titles as he faces Alexander Zverev in the men’s final on Sunday.
The women’s doubles final on Sunday features top seeds Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend against Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-Wei and Jelena Ostapenko.
Following a thrilling women’s final, where Madison Keys dethroned Aryna Sabalenka, the spotlight now shifts to the blockbuster men’s final between the top seeds.
Who is the favourite to win the Australian Open men’s final?
Jannik Sinner, the defending champion, is the favorite to win the final and potentially retain his title, a feat not achieved since Novak Djokovic’s three-peat from 2019-21.
Sinner could become the 11th man in the professional era to win back-to-back titles, joining legends like Roger Federer and Andre Agassi.
Despite facing a doping case, Sinner remains focused on the task at hand and aims to enjoy the moment after a tough journey to the final.
How did Sinner reach the final?
Sinner enters the final in top form, having won his last 20 matches, including victories over top players like Alex De Minaur and Ben Shelton.
While facing physical challenges during the tournament, Sinner remains determined to succeed on the court.
What has happened to Sinner’s doping case?
Despite a lingering doping case, Sinner has been cleared to play and continues to compete while waiting for the outcome of his case at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
What has Sinner said before the final?
Sinner remains focused on the present moment and aims to minimize external pressures to fully enjoy the experience.
What chance does Zverev have in the final?
Zverev faces an uphill battle as he looks to secure his first Grand Slam title against the formidable Sinner.
Despite struggles in previous major finals, Zverev enters the final well-prepared and determined to showcase his skills on the court.
Is this a new start for Zverev?
Zverev aims to turn the tide and overcome the challenges posed by the emerging younger generation of players in the tennis world.
With renewed focus on improving his stamina and mental toughness, Zverev hopes to deliver a strong performance on Sunday.
Head-to-head
Zverev holds a winning record over Sinner, but the Italian emerged victorious in their last encounter on hardcourt.
What’s the prize money?
The total prize money for the Australian Open has increased by 12 percent from the previous year, with substantial rewards for champions and runner-ups in both singles and doubles categories.
Where to watch, follow and stream the Australian Open tennis Grand Slam?
Al Jazeera provides live coverage of the men’s and women’s singles finals, while official broadcasters cover the event globally.
