Jannik Sinner defeated Alexander Zverev in a commanding performance to retain his Australian Open title on Sunday, becoming the first Italian player to win three Grand Slams and solidifying his place as the world’s dominant player.

The 23-year-old triumphed 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 in a tense showdown between the world’s top two players on Rod Laver Arena, celebrating by raising his arms and looking skyward.

With this victory, Sinner became the first Italian, male or female, to win three Grand Slam titles, surpassing Nicola Pietrangeli’s two.

His win also placed him in an exclusive club with Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic as the only men to successfully defend their Melbourne Park titles in the 21st century.

For Zverev, it was another disappointing result, as the German continues to be one of the world’s best players to have never won a Grand Slam, falling short in his third major final.