At the same point in the year in 2025, Jannik Sinner wasn't playing tennis because he was suspended for three months after failing two drug tests the previous March, but he began March 2026 by winning Indian Wells. The way he played against Damir Dzumhur in the second round of the Miami Open, he might make it two in a row and accomplish the Sunshine Double for the first time.
The Italian appeared to have a slight dip in form at the start of the year. He lost in the semifinals of the Australian Open, after winning the major in the previous two years, and was pushed out in the quarterfinals in Doha. He wasn't seemingly gaining on No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, but losing ground.
That has changed. Sinner picked up points at Indian Wells and is clearly bent on doing the same in Miami, based on his performance against Dzumhur. In a relatively straightforward first set, which Sinner took 6-3, the Italian won 89 percent of his first serves and played efficient tennis with 13 winners against 10 unforced errors.
Jannik Sinner dispatches Damir Dzumhur at the 2026 Miami Open
He was the more aggressive player, even taking extra chances to come to the net, where he won seven of the nine points when he approached. Dzumhur wasn't playing poorly, but his skillset simply cannot match Sinner's. The match would have looked far worse had the Bosnian not been near his peak form.
The second set, though, was not truly closer. Jannik Sinner got an early break and, as Damir Dzumhur had shown no real threat to the Italian's serve, Sinner appeared ready to walk into the third round, which he did by taking set two 6-3. Whatever slight dip in form appeared months ago, he was back to his best on his best surface, a hard court.
Sinner probably won't be able to pick up many points on Carlos Alcaraz at the Miami Open, however. In 2025, the Spaniard was shockingly knocked out in the second round. For Sinner to get closer to No. 1, he will need to succeed on the clay of the Monte-Carlo Masters and the Madrid Masters. Alcaraz, though, excels on the surface.
As for Miami, Jannik Sinner will next play the winner of the Corentin Moutet versus Tomas Machac match in the third round. Obviously, Sinner will be a heavy favorite in that match. Tennis fans might be looking at the likelihood of another Sinner versus Alcaraz final, which would be just fine.