Will world No. 1 and defending champ Jannik Sinner win again? Or can Alexander Zverev capture his first Grand Slam title? Our experts weigh in on who will win the Australian Open men's title.
What can Sinner do to defeat Zverev?
Jarryd Barca: Stock up on pickle juice. After battling cramping issues during his semifinal win over Ben Shelton -- not to mention his struggles against Holger Rune in the fourth round -- Sinner needs to ensure his body is fully recovered against a player like Zverev, who loves long, grueling rallies. Sinner is the one to beat, but his best chance still lies in keeping points shorter, taking the initiative early, and avoiding the long grind of a Zverev match. Maintain that health, hit those scintillating line-clipping winners, and claim back-to-back Australian Open titles.
What can Zverev do to defeat Sinner?
Barca: Be more decisive. To overcome the world No. 1, Zverev must strike the right balance between consistency and aggression; he cannot rely on grinding down Sinner -- especially if he recovers from that semifinal cramping and is at full health. Zverev's first serve has been excellent this tournament so maintaining that weapon is critical, too. But he needs to know when to play assertively, step inside the baseline at the right moments and seize the opportunities when they're there -- something he seemed reluctant to do in that first set against Novak Djokovic. It's hard to dictate points against the world's best player, but you don't win Grand Slams without taking risks in the big moments. He can't hope Sinner falters. He has to have awareness to go for his shots.
Who will win?
Barca: This has marathon written all over it. Look at the last meeting between the two, a three-set epic that lasted more than three hours in Cincinnati. This can go either way, but how can you go against a player who has 20 straight hard-court wins at the Grand Slam level? You can't until he gives you a reason. Sinner in five sets, but Zverev will push him to the brink.
Betting the men's final
Pamela Maldonado: It's a battle of contrasting styles as Sinner brings his aggressive baseline game against Zverev's big-serve approach. Both players have had standout runs to reach this stage, but their paths have highlighted some key strengths and exposed vulnerabilities that will shape the outcome. Let's break it down and get to my prediction for how this clash will unfold.
This final has all the makings of a Sinner statement. The Italian is red-hot, riding a 20-match hard-court Grand Slam win streak with two major titles from 2024. Sinner doesn't just show up to win, he shows up to dominate. With his lethal groundstrokes and aggressive baseline play, he has the arsenal to exploit Zverev's defensive, passive style.
Conclusion
It will be an exciting final between Sinner and Zverev, with both players showcasing their strengths and strategies. While the experts have their predictions, only time will tell who will emerge victorious in the Australian Open men's final.
