Tennis LIVE: Jannik Sinner beats Jiri Lehecka to win Miami Open final

Jannik Sinner has beaten Jiri Lehecka to win the Miami Open final and complete the Sunshine Double

The Miami Open officially reached its conclusion on Sunday, with Jannik Sinner triumphing in the men's final to claim the Sunshine Double. Rain delays heavily impacted his clash with Jiri Lehecka but the No .2 seed was able to come out on top

The day kicked off with a thrilling women’s doubles final between the top two seeds, as Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini took on Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend. Around an hour into the match, play was suspended by rain, just as they were getting towards the end of the first set.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Finally, at around 4.20pm local (9.20pm BST), Sinner and Lehecka stepped out onto the Stadium, while Errani/Paolini and Siniakova/Townsend returned, this time on Grandstand. Czech-American duo Siniakova and Townsend claimed a 7-6(0) 6-1 victory to complete the Sunshine Double.

The men's doubles final was also interrupted by another spell of rain at the beginning of the second set. By that point, Sinner had taken the opener 6-4. That was the second set outcome as well with Sinner later delivering a message to F1 star and fellow Italian Kimi Antonelli in his post-match speech.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

His match finished at around 1am BST and he subsequently joined Aryna Sabalenka in winning both Indian Wells and the Miami Open.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Express Sport keeps you up to date with the latest news and goings-on with our LIVE updates and reaction after the Miami Open...

Watch all the best tennis tournaments on Sky Sports for just £22

£22 View Deal

Watch all the best tennis matches and tournaments on Sky Sports for just £22 a month.

Sky has now launched its new tennis channel which is dedicated to all the best tennis coverage which started on February 11.

For just £22 a month, you can get Sky Sports added onto your package and watch all the best sports tournaments including tennis.

KEY EVENTS

Jannik Sinner wins Miami Open00:57

Final delayed again23:03

Play suspended again22:24

Here we go!21:31

New start times for both finals20:45

New start time20:11

Both finals now delayed19:48

Women's doubles final moved and will resume shortly19:15

12 mins ago11:48 Amie Wilson

Jannik Sinner message

Jannik Sinner has taken to Instagram to give his reaction to his Miami Open win.

He's posted a series of pictures and a video on his page, along with a caption reading: "This means a lot to me. Grazie!!."

The video shows members of his team hiding in the changing room as Sinner enters, they then chase the Italian, soaking him with campaign.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

45 mins ago11:15 Kieran Horn

Sinner praised for work behind-the scenes

Unsurprisingly, there has been plenty of Jannik Sinner praise following his Miami Open victory which saw him claim the Sunshine Double after winning Indian Wells earlier this month.

Marion Bartoli was the latest to share a verdict on the Italian with it clear what she has been so impressed by.

She said on Sky Sports: “He has so much trust in his team and the understanding that he wants to stay at the top of the game he has to keep on improving all the time because when you stay still, you actually go backwards,”

“It takes a lot of courage and sacrifices to put those hard yards on the court. They’re tough sessions but he also mentioned that he’s capable of playing so well that gives him the pride and the joy from the reward of his work. [He is an] absolutely incredible champion and very worthy.”

1 hour ago10:41 Kieran Horn

Sinner plans for Monte-Carlo Masters

Jannik Sinner has confirmed his plans for the coming days after winning the Miami Open and ahead of the Monte-Carlo Masters.

He said: "I want to enjoy this win, otherwise we never stop. On Thursday, we’ll try to go back on clay, if I physically feel good, for now I’m good.

"And then we’ll see, for sure playing doubles can help me feel the conditions in Monaco."

The next tournament in the tennis calendar starts this weekend with Sinner looking for a third consecutive triumph.

2 hours ago10:05 Kieran Horn

Lehecka responds to Sinner and Alcaraz complaints

Jiri Lehecka has responded to comments that the domination of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz is boring.

He played the former in the Miami Open final and lost 6-4 6-4. Following the defeat, he was asked about Alcaraz and Sinner.

He said: “It’s not the first time in tennis when we can see this happening.

“I think that it’s great. I think it’s very good for the sport and it’s also very good for the rest of the Tour because it shows us (players) the limits and it shows us that we really need to improve.

“I think that these matches against these guys are showing me that there is still big room for improvement.

“I played, in my opinion, a very good tournament. I was very satisfied with my game.

“But I again saw that there is still somewhere to go, and that I will really need to keep improving more and more if I want to be able to beat these guys in the final stages of these big events like the Masters and Grand Slams.”

2 hours ago09:33 Kieran Horn

Latest ATP rankings

There have been some changes to the ATP rankings after the Miami Open.

Alexander Zverev has leapfrogged Novak Djokovic to go into third after the latter's withdrawal from the Miami Open. He will also not play at the Monte-Carlo Masters.

There is another change in the top 10 with Felix Auger-Aliassime moving above Taylor Fritz.

Despite his run to the Miami Open last-16, his spot as American No 1 is not firmly secure with Ben Sheldon narrowly behind.

3 hours ago08:51 Kieran Horn

Alcaraz struggles analysed

A potential reason for Carlos Alcaraz's recent struggles could be down to playing too much tennis, according to former US Open finalist Greg Rusedski

“I think with Alcaraz, he’s played a little bit too much tennis,” he said during the Off-Court with Greg podcast.

“You look at the end of the season, he didn’t really have an offseason.

“He played a lot of exhibitions in America, he went to the one in Korea before the Australian Open, then he played in Doha as well.

“So he’s played all the way from the end of the year, finishing number one, to continuing on the merry-go-round.

“And when you play too much tennis, I hate to say it, but you get a little stale, you get a little bit bored, it’s difficult being week in, week out on the road.”

4 hours ago08:08 Kieran Horn

Sabalenka makes Gauff admission

Aryna Sabalenka also managed to claim the 'Sunshine Double' this past weekend after she beat Coco Gauff 6-2 4-6 6-3 in the Miami Open final.

Despite beating her American rival, Sabalenka revealed one attribute of Gauff's she would love to have after losing to her in recent French and US Open finals.

Sabalenka said: “Her movement is something else. Going into matches against her, I know that there is always going to be an extra ball, and it’s all about staying focused and being ready for an extra ball to come back.

“The movement is something else, you know. I wish I could move, I mean, even like 70 per cent from what she has would be enough for me! But yeah, she’s an incredible player and a fighter. It’s always challenging playing her, and I’m really enjoying this rivalry lately, and I hope she’ll stay consistent, and hopefully we’ll meet in many more finals.”

Click here to read the full story

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

4 hours ago07:40 Kieran Horn

What Alcaraz is doing after Sinner's Miami Open win

While his closest rival completed a historic Sunshine Double, Carlos Alcaraz has been training on clay ahead of the Monte-Carlo Masters which kicks off in just a few days.

Footage of him Spain at the Real Sociedad Club de Campo Murcia has since emerged and shows him working on his backhands, serves, and overall adjustment to the different surface.

It has been a challenging few weeks in the United States for Alcaraz with Jannik Sinner winning both Indian Wells and the Miami Open.

Alcaraz was shockingly knocked out of the latter at the roound of 32 stage. He did however, win both the Qatar and Australian Open earlier in the year.

5 hours ago07:10 Kieran Horn

More from Sinner on Italian success and his own game

Jannik Sinner also spoke about his fellow Italians in an interview after the Miami Open.

When asked on Sky Sports about the weekend's success for Italians, he said: "Also in MotoGP italy won so it is definitely a great moment for Italians and I'm happy to be part of it.

Sinner's triumph in Miami also saw him complete the Sunshine Double after winning Indian Wells earlier this month and he has since claimed he can still get better.

On that topic, he added: "It is tough to say, we do many hours in practice sessions, the dedication and the sacrifice is very high. Performing myself and being confident on court just makes me happy as a person.

"I have a great team behind me who pushed me in some tough moments and we try to have a great attitude on court and it has been an amazing couple of tournaments."

5 hours ago06:38 Kieran Horn

Sinner's Antonelli message

Jannik Sinner took a moment to celebrate Kimi Antonelli's recent F1 success with a three-word message after his Miami Open triumph.

He wrote on the Sky Sports camera: "Bez, Kimi, Italia."

Both Italian sports stars enjoyed winning weekends with Antonelli claiming P1 in the Japanese Grand Prix.

He also made sure to give a shout out to US Moto GP winner Marco Bezzecchi.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

6 hours ago06:28 Kieran Horn

Good morning

Hello and welcome back to our tennis live blog on the Daily Express.

Just a few hours ago, Jannik Sinner completed the Sunshine Double after beating Jiri Lehecka in the Miami Open final.

For all the latest updates and reaction, stay with us over the coming hours

9 hours ago02:50 Tannur Anders

What is the Sunshine Double?

The Sunshine Double refers to the prestigious achievement of winning both the Indian Wells Masters and the Miami Open in the same calendar year.

10 hours ago02:27 Tannur Anders

Sinner eighth man to complete Sunshine Double

Jannik Sinner is the eighth man to complete the Sunshine Double.

11 hours ago00:57 Tannur Anders

Jannik Sinner wins Miami Open

Jannik Sinner has beaten Jiri Lehecka to win the Miami Open final and complete the Sunshine Double.

12 hours ago23:54 Tannur Anders

Players back on court

Players are back on court at the men's final of the Miami Open.

12 hours ago23:32 Yasmin Syed

Sinner seeking history

When play finally resumes at the Miami Open, Jannik Sinner will be hoping to make history. The second seed already leads Jiri Lehecka 6-4, and he’s won all of his other matches in Indian Wells and Miami in straight sets.

Should Sinner take the second set over Lehecka to lift the title, he will become the first player to complete the Sunshine Double – winning these two tournaments back-to-back without dropping a set. He’d also be the seventh man to do the double, and the first since Roger Federer in 2017.

We’ve already had two Sunshine Doubles this weekend. Aryna Sabalenka did it in women’s singles, and Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend achieved the feat in doubles.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

13 hours ago23:26 Yasmin Syed

Another new start time

The resumption of the men's singles final has been pushed back again, now to 6.45pm local time (11.45pm BST).

But things are really looking up now. The courts are dry and blue skies are out. if there's no more rain in the next 20 minutes, Jannik Sinner and Jiri Lehecka should return to the court, have a quick warm-up and resume the match.

A reminder that Sinner took the first set 6-4. Lehecka is serving to start set two at 0-0 (15-30).

13 hours ago23:03 Yasmin Syed

Final delayed again

Court streams are now showing that Jannik Sinner vs Jiri Lehecka will resume not before 6.30pm local time (11.30pm BST).

The courts are starting to blow away and blue skies are creeping in. The courts are currently being dried.

13 hours ago23:02 Yasmin Syed

What has Sinner said about rain delays during the final?

Jannik Sinner currently leads Jiri Lehecka by a set in the men’s singles final at the Miami Open, but the match has been suspended due to rain. It’s not come as a huge surprise; the 2024 champion knew what they were in for today after checking the forecast.

After beating Alexander Zverev on Friday, he said: “Let’s see also the weather forecast. It’s also not promising, but we hope for a day as dry as possible, and that we have a chance to play. No matter what happens now in the final, of course, I will give it the best shot. But reaching the final here is good for me.”

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

13 hours ago22:46 Yasmin Syed

Play pushed back again

The Miami Open has confirmed that the men's singles final between Jannik Sinner and Jiri Lehecka will resume not before 6.15pm local time (11.15pm BST).

It's the only match left of the tournament, and Sinner is one set away from completing the Sunshine Double.

13 hours ago22:32 Yasmin Syed

Sinner vs Lehecka delayed for at least half an hour

According to Sky Sports, the men's singles final between Jannik Sinner and Jiri Lehecka will resume not before 6pm local time (11pm BST).

Again, the rain has been very stop-start. It already looks a little better in Miami right now, but that could change.

14 hours ago22:24 Yasmin Syed

Play suspended again

Play has been suspended at the beginning of the second set in the men's singles final between Jannik Sinner and Jiri Lehecka.

Sinner had just taken the first set and Lehecka was serving in the opening game of the second. But it was 0-0 (15-30) when the heavens opened again, and the players immediately left the court.

14 hours ago22:19 Yasmin Syed

Sinner takes the lead

Jannik Sinner is one set away from completing the Sunshine Double – and he can still do it without dropping a set. He'd be the first player to do that. The world No. 2 has taken the opener 6-4 against Jiri Lehecka on the Stadium Court.

In the third game, the Czech star had his serve broken for the first time in the tournament. Then, he saved two break points in a marathon, 10-minute service game. But it was inevitable from Sinner, who served out the set with ease.

He's won 100 per cent of first serve points in this set and has a performance rating of 9.1.

14 hours ago21:58 Yasmin Syed

Siniakova and Townsend are the champions!

Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend have done it! They’re the Miami Open champions, and they’ve completed the Sunshine Double, as they also won Indian Wells just a couple of weeks ago.

The No. 2 seeds responded perfectly to a near-three-hour rain delay and a mid-match court change. The final was suspended with top seeds Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini serving at 5-6 (40-0). When play finally resumed, they forced a tiebreak, but Siniakova and Townsend absolutely ran away with it.

They raced through the tiebreak 7-0, and then stormed through set two, winning the last six games to claim a statement 7-6(0) 6-1 victory.

14 hours ago21:45 Yasmin Syed

Lehecka broken for the first time in the tournament

Jiri Lehecka has had his serve broken for the very first time in this tournament.

The Czech star made it to his first Masters 1000 title without getting broken once across his first five matches here.

But Jannik Sinner is another beast, and the No. 2 seed has taken an early 2-1 lead in the men's singles final.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

14 hours ago21:35 Yasmin Syed

Siniakova/Townsend take control after match was suspended

It’s been a horror return for Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini. Back before the rain came, they had served for the first set at 5-4 over on the Stadium Court. But they were broken, and play was suspended with the top seeds serving to force a tiebreak at 5-6 (40-0).

Play resumed almost three hours later on Grandstand. They managed to win the next point, getting into a tiebreak. But everything unravelled, and Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend absolutely stormed through to take it 7-0, not dropping a single point.

14 hours ago21:31 Yasmin Syed

Here we go!

The women's doubles final has already resumed over on Grandstand, and the No. 1 seeds held to love to force a first-set tiebreak.

Over on Stadium, Jannik Sinner and Jiri Lehecka have finished their warm-up and will now get the championship match underway.

15 hours ago21:23 Yasmin Syed

Women's doubles final to resume

The women's doubles final is also about to resume on the Grandstand Court. The match started on the Stadium almost four hours ago, but was rained off around three hours ago.

That final has now been moved due to the extensive delays, allowing for the men's singles championship match to get underway on the main court.

When play was suspended, Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini were serving to force a first-set tiebreak at 5-6 (40-0) against Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsed. The Italians had served for the set at 5-4 but got broken.

And the players are now on the court, raring to go.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

15 hours ago21:17 Yasmin Syed

Sinner and Lehecka about to walk on

It's happening! Jannik Sinner and Jiri Lehecka are waiting outside the Stadium Court and are finally about to step out for the men's singles final.

Fans in the stands are standing up for the National Anthem before the players walk on.

Sinner vs Lehecka was due to start not before 3pm local time (8pm BST), so we're working with a delay of over an hour right now.

15 hours ago21:14 Yasmin Syed

Play should finally get underway imminently

These are the best signs we've had since the women's doubles final was rained off around two-and-a-half hours ago.

The courts are completely dry and the attendants have left. Ball kids are about to come out, and Jiri Lehecka can be seen waiting around the Stadium Court tunnel.

It could be happening!

15 hours ago21:11 Yasmin Syed

Sinner 'has no clue' when final could start

Given that we've had lots of changes to the schedule today, it comes as no surprise that even the players themselves don't really know when play will get underway.

Jannik Sinner and his coaches, Darren Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi, spoke to Sky Sports pundit Marion Bartoli, and revealed that they weren't sure when the men's singles final would start – or whether it would continue to be interrupted once play finally got underway.

“I just had a chat with Darren Cahill, Jannik Sinner and Simone [Vagnozzi] as well, they’re all sort of hanging in there. And I asked both of them, ‘Do you have any sort of update? Is it quite clear what’s the plan for the rest of the day?’ And to be honest, even the players have no clue of what is going on exactly,” Bartoli explained.

“They just had a starting time which was 3.45pm local time, which I think is going to be even later. But after that, I think it’s quite blurry, even for the player himself to know exactly what he’s in for.”

Read more here

15 hours ago21:07 Yasmin Syed

Players warming up again

Cameras have caught Jannik Sinner and Jiri Lehecka warming up in the tunnels around the Hard Rock Stadium in hopes that the men's singles final will start at 4.15pm local time (9.15pm BST).

Sinner has since made his way back outside to the artificial grass with his jacket on, another positive sign that they could take to the court in a few minutes.

15 hours ago20:45 Yasmin Syed

New start times for both finals

Miami Open organisers have shared a new update.

The men's singles final between Jannik Sinner and Jiri Lehecka is due to start on Stadium Court not before 4.15pm local time (9.15pm BST).

They have also confirmed that the women's doubles final between Errani/Paolini and Siniakova/Townsend is due to resume at the same time, now moved onto the Grandstand Court.

The drying machines are out on the courts and some court attendants are even drying the lines with towels. A few fans are in the stands too. Positive signs.

15 hours ago20:36 Yasmin Syed

Courts being dried again

The drying machines are back out on the court. The women's doubles final was meant to resume about five minutes ago, and the men's singles is due to get underway in the next 10 minutes.

Maybe, just maybe, if they can get the courts dried before any more rain falls, we could see signs of the players stepping out.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

16 hours ago20:11 Yasmin Syed

New start time

The rain really will be stop-start today, so we'll have to bear with the ever-changing Miami Open schedule.

For now, it's stopped again and the drying machines are back out.

The WTA live stream is now showing a new start time of not before 3.30pm local time (8.30pm BST).

Meanwhile, Sky Sports has shown that play will actually get back underway a little later, at 3.45pm local (8.45pm BST).

The Miami Open has just confirmed that the women's doubles will resume at 3.30pm local on Grandstand, and the men's singles final will start at 3.45pm local on Stadium.

There's been a new twist, however. The court attendants with the drying machines have left the courts and it's throwing it down again. So expect those start times to be pushed back again.

16 hours ago20:01 Yasmin Syed

It's raining again

Spoke too soon. It’s now raining around the tournament site again. Just as Jannik Sinner and Jiri Lehecka had been out preparing to start their final!

“It’s raining,” Gigi Salmon told Sky Sports viewers at 3pm loal time (8pm BST) – 15 minutes before play was set to resume. “It’s one of those days. It’s bright, there’s a cloud, it’s bright, there’s a cloud.”

Cameras showed Lehecka waiting in the tunnel by the Stadium Court, but he didn’t look very optimistic. Aerial shots of the outside courts around the Hard Rock Stadium were also shown, and it wasn’t a pretty picture. The rain is pouring, and the wind is strong. It doesn’t look like we’ll get play anytime soon.

16 hours ago19:54 Yasmin Syed

Sinner preparing for 3.15pm local start

Jannik Sinner is out on the artificial grass around the Hard Rock Stadium, preparing to take to the Stadium Court for the men's singles final at 3.15pm local time (8.15pm BST). That's only 15 minutes later than they were initially scheduled to take to the court.

It's a positive sign that play could well get underway in just over 20 minutes' time, as Sinner is getting warm, so he's not expecting a further delay.

“The good news is there are live shots, he is down there right now on the players’ lawn, and that gives us hope there is the possibility we will get the 3.15pm local start,” Gigi Salmon told Sky Sports viewers.

Jiri Lehecka was then seen warming up in the same area and shaking hands with Sinner's coach, Darren Cahill.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

16 hours ago19:34 Yasmin Syed

Organisers confirm new schedule

Miami Open organisers have taken to social media to confirm that the women's doubles final has been moved to the Grandstand court.

“Match update: ERRANI/PAOLINI vs SINIAKOVA/TOWNSEND has been moved to the Grandstand Court, starting not before 2.20pm,” a statement read.

However, it's now 2.35pm local time and the players have yet to return.

Read more about the new schedule here

17 hours ago19:15 Yasmin Syed

Women's doubles final moved and will resume shortly

The women's doubles final is expected to resume not before 2.20pm local time (7.20pm BST).

But according to Sky Sports, the match will now be moved to the second court, Grandstand, so not to delay the men's singles final, due on at 3pm local time (8pm BST).

There are also concerns that the rain will continue to come and go throughout the day, so organisers want to ensure both matches can get done in between any potential future delays.

It means Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini will be serving at 5-6 (40-0) against Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, on a whole new court.

17 hours ago19:02 Yasmin Syed

Drying continues

Tournament staff are still out on the main Stadium Court attempting to dry the surface using some large, loud – but effective! – machines. It’s stopped raining, and some sun is peeping through, so fingers crossed we’ll be back underway soon.

“We’re back to live pictures right now, and it is a bit of sunshine, some blue sky as well. You can hear the hum of the machines that are out drying the court there. They are actually remarkably effective, and we might get some players on court very soon,” Naomi Cavaday said on Sky Sports.

“But what a time for a rain delay, it is 6-5, and 40-0 the other way. So we’re one point away from it going into a tiebreak. It was tense, it was really flowing, and then a huge halt.”

17 hours ago18:48 Yasmin Syed

Some good news

That was quick. There are already court attendants out on the main Stadium Court, attempting to dry it.

As long as there's no extra rainfall, this could be a relatively short suspension. It still looks damp out there though, and organisers have yet to confirm when the women's doubles final will resume.

17 hours ago18:46 Yasmin Syed

'Significant delay' expected

It’s the final day of the Miami Open, but it could be a long one. The women’s doubles final has been suspended with Errani/Paolini serving at 5-6 in the first set against Siniakova/Townsend.

The players immediately left the court and play was suspended, a sure sign that they expected a longer delay, rather than waiting on the court to see if the rain would pass.

On Sky Sports, commentator Naomi Cavaday told viewers: “As we saw there, the rain really is bucketing down right now, so this will be a significant delay. Remember, we have the men’s singles final between Sinner and Lehecka coming up at 8pm [BST] tonight. We can’t promise you sunshine just yet, but hopefully it will blow through.”

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Tennis news, scores and tournament results plus selected offers and competitions Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

17 hours ago18:42 Yasmin Syed

Tournament statement

The Miami Open has issued a brief statement on social media, confirming that play has been halted. Organisers have not given a new start time yet.

The statement says: "Weather update: Match play has temporarily been suspended."

We will keep you updated once we know when the women's doubles final resumes, and when the men's singles duel can start.

17 hours ago18:38 Yasmin Syed

Doubles final suspended

The women's doubles final between No.1 seeds Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini and No.2 seeds Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend has been suspended due to rain.

The Italians served for the set at 5-4 but were broken. They were then serving at 5-6 (40-0) to take it to a tiebreak when the heavens opened.

All four players rushed to their benches while the chair umpire announced that play had been suspended. The players swiftly left the court, walking under towels and umbrellas to stay dry.

Click here to read article