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CENTRE COURT, WIMBLEDON — The top two seeds collide on Sunday in the men’s Wimbledon final as Jannik Sinner looks to defend his title against Alexander Zverev.
The world No.1 is bidding for a fifth grand slam and is the heavy favorite given he’s won their past nine meetings; six of them in straight sets.
But Zverev has been in impressive form at this tournament and is aiming to go back-to-back on major titles having claimed his maiden trophy at the French Open earlier this year.
Today’s champion receives £3,600,000 ($4.8m) in prize money, while the runner-up collects £1,800,000 ($2.3m) so there is plenty at stake.
Jannik Sinner vs. Alexander Zverev live score
| Set | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jannik Sinner | 6 (7) | 5 | — | — | — |
| Alexander Zverev | 7 (9) | 6 | — | — | — |
Jannik Sinner vs. Alexander Zverev live updates, highlights from 2026 Wimbledon final
*denotes on serve
Sinner 6-7 (7-9), 5-6 Zverev*
Zverev’s not letting up and once again will make Sinner serve to stay in the second set. He holds to 15.
Sinner* 6-7 (7-9), 5-5 Zverev
Zverev slips in a a tense rally but still makes the shot but Sinner punishes him with a drop shot; 30-0. Another rally featuring lobs and drop shots ends with Sinner dragging his forehand wide; 30-15. Sinner remains calm and holds to 30.
Sinner 6-7 (7-9), 4-5 Zverev*
The umpire has to remind one spectator to stop shouting between serves. It doesn’t distract Zverev though as he brings up 40-15. He moves a step closer to the second set with an ace.
Zverev had 4 wins against a world #1.
The last one was at the ATP Finals… in 2021.
He never did at a Grand Slam.#Wimbledon
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) July 12, 2026
Sinner* 6-7 (7-9), 4-4 Zverev
It’s 40-0 and Zverev’s hardly had a look in. The German gets one point back but can’t return the next serve. It feels like a tiebreak is inevitable here…
Sinner 6-7 (7-9), 3-4 Zverev*
Sinner puts his hands on his head as he can’t believe Zverev’s brilliant defense to win an exciting point; 30-15. He can’t return a serve at the next which only adds to his frustration; 40-15. He can’t do anything about Zverev’s backhand winner.
Sinner* 6-7 (7-9), 3-3 Zverev
Zverev takes two points off Sinner, one of those from a double fault, but at 30-30 the Italian keeps his nerve with the winning point won by scooping an awkward volley over the net at close range.
Sinner 6-7 (7-9), 2-3 Zverev*
It looks like another hold to love is on the cards until Zverev’s forehand finds the tramlines. He then sends a backhand wide too; 40-30. A crushed forehand puts him 3-2 up.
Sinner* 6-7 (7-9), 2-2 Zverev
Zverev is having the same problem but at one set up no doubt feeling slightly less pressure. Sinner holds to love.
Sinner 6-7 (7-9), 1-2 Zverev*
The defending champion is struggling to find an answer to these big serves. He tries a more aggressive approach in this game but it’s to little avail. It’s 40-0 and then Sinner’s return goes wide.
Sinner* 6-7 (7-9), 1-1 Zverev
More positive signs from Zverev controlling these rallies at the back of the court and he’s rewarded for his efforts; 15-30. Sinner looks relaxed though and is soon up and running in this second set.
Sinner 6-7 (7-9), 0-1 Zverev*
That snaps a 14-set losing streak against Sinner and that’s going to give him plenty of confidence. But it could also bring out an even better side of Sinner. His delightful forehand drop shot to get him to 30-30 suggests so. After several deuces Zverev holds with an ace.
Sinner 6-7 (7-9) Zverev – Zverev wins first set!
A stunning forehand winner from Zverev closes it and he lets out a roar of emotion towards his box. We have a match on our hands!
Zverev wins the 1st set 7-6(7) against Sinner at Wimbledon.
Set point saved.
He breaks his 14-set losing streak to Jannik
Leads 1-0 against the world No. 1
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 12, 2026
Sinner 6-6 (7-8) Zverev
Ridiculous serving from Zverev to save it. Wow. He then hits a neat backhand winner to go 8-7 up.
Sinner 6-6 (7-6) Zverev
Sinner lures Zverev into the net with a drop shot and then rips a forehand into empty space. Sinner rattles down an ace and now he has set point.
Sinner 6-6 (5-6) Zverev
Sinner is unlucky not to see his return go over but Zverev is level. The world No.1 shows some brilliant defense in the next rally but then it’s his own forehand error that costs him.
Sinner 6-6 (5-4) Zverev
The Italian hits a delicate volley at the net to level. Sinner shows he too can hit aces down the middle.
Sinner 6-6 (3-4) Zverev
A huge serve out wide has Sinner scrambling; 3-3. A 139mph ace down the middle puts him in the lead.
Sinner 6-6 (3-2) Zverev
Sinner levels with an ace right down the middle. Zverev’s return off the serve flies off his racket into the crowd.
Sinner 6-6 (1-2) Zverev
Sinner crushes a forehand winner to take the lead. Zverev levels as Sinner can’t return a powerful forehand to the baseline. Sinner then misses an easy forehand.
Sinner 6-6 Zverev*
Sinner wins the opening point to put some extra pressure on the German but it’s his serve that comes to his rescue; winning the next three points; 40-15. Zverev sends us to a tiebreak with a backhand winner.
Sinner* 6-5 Zverev
Sinner comes to the net to showcase his volleying skills and Zverev has no answers. The German hits another unforced error; 40-0. An ace seals it. Zverev needs to hold to send us to a tiebreak.
Sinner 5-5 Zverev*
Shot of the match so far! Zverev gets to 30-0 as he runs out wide along the baseline and strikes a stunning forehand down the line while stretching for it. An ace follows. Zverev holds to 15.
Sinner* 5-4 Zverev
The world No.3’s backhand goes wide; 30-15, but a huge forehand return Sinner can’t strike cleanly has him level. Sinner then opens up his body to drill a forehand into the back corner. Zverev then miscues a big forehand and gets it all wrong to give Sinner the hold.
Alexander Zverev has now played more than 10 hours of tennis against Jannik Sinner without winning a set…
Have to go back to October 2025 in Vienna, a match that Zverev lost anyway (but at least he won a set).#Wimbledon
— James Gray (@jamesgraysport) July 12, 2026
Sinner 4-4 Zverev*
Sinner can’t even take advantage of these second serves because Zverev is still hitting those at around 122 mph. Zverev hits an ace but then Sinner gives his opponent the eyes and feints a forehand out wide left; 30-40. At deuce, Zverev double faults to give Sinner a first break point of the match. He saves it in a cagey exchange as the ball flies off Sinner’s racket and well out. Two big serves bail him out of trouble and it’s an important hold.
Sinner* 4-3 Zverev
Sinner’s at 40-0 before hitting a forehand wide, a bit too much top spin on that one. Then he overhits a backhand beyond the baseline; 40-30. He avoids any potential scare as Zverev’s backhand finds the net.
Sinner 3-3 Zverev*
Little to separate the two so far. Zverev gets to 40-0 before crashing a serve out wide that the outstretched No.1 can’t return.
Sinner* 3-2 Zverev
Sinner’s in a spot of bother as he loses the opening two points but mistakes from the German allow him back in; 30-30. Sinner closes out the game with big serves down the middle.
Sinner 2-2 Zverev*
Aside from that second point in the opening game, we’ve barely had any long rallies so far. It’s very much about the big serving. When they do get going though with excellent ball-striking, as Sinner gets to 30-40, it’s brilliant to watch. Zverev holds with a forehand winner.
Sinner* 2-1 Zverev
A few forehand errors from Zverev get Sinner to 40-0 and then the world No.1 lifts the ball over the 6ft 6in German as he comes to the net to take the game.
Sinner 1-1 Zverev*
Zverev hits his fastest serve of the championship so far with a 141mph strike. He’s fired up alright. He holds to love.
Sinner* 1-0 Zverev
Sinner takes the opening point as Zverev can’t return over the net. How many times will I say that today? A mega-long rally in the second point goes Zverev’s way as he hits a neat volley. The Italian gets his first ace of the game and from 15-30 down goes onto hold.
11 a.m. ET: Both players come out to a huge round of applause. It’s another scorcher here sitting at a warm 28C.
Both players will have played in hotter conditions over the last two weeks so there is that small comfort…
The final strides before entering Centre Court. #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/Zq0YNR4kVx
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 12, 2026
10:55 a.m. ET: Looking for some last minute betting tips and expert picks for today’s Wimbledon final?
We’ve got you covered. Check out our best Wimbledon picks for Sinner vs. Zverev.
10:30 a.m. ET: While Zverev is chasing a second grand slam and Sinner a fifth, there’s also a sizeable amount of prize money on offer.
Today’s champion receives £3,600,000 in prize money, while the runner-up collects £1,800,000.
Here’s a full rundown of the prize money at Wimbledon this year, round by round.
10 a.m. ET: First up, let’s take a look at the head to head record between the pair… and it doesn’t make for good reading if you’re Zverev.
This is a 15th meeting for Sinner and Zverev, their fifth at the grand slams, their second in a grand slam final – but their first at Wimbledon or on grass.
Sinner is bidding to extend a nine-match winning streak against Zverev, with the German’s last victory in the rivalry coming at the 2023 US Open. Sinner has won the pair’s last six meetings in straight sets.
9:30 a.m. ET: Hello, it’s Wimbledon finals days as Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev face off to see who will be crowed 2026 champion.
It’s the No.1 seed vs. the No.2 seed and it’s going to be a cracker. Let’s get going!
How to watch Jannik Sinner vs. Alexander Zverev
This match will be shown on ESPN’s main channel given the magnitude of the event.
ESPN is the home of Wimbledon broadcasting with daily coverage from all 18 courts on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes (Spanish) and streaming on the ESPN App for ESPN Unlimited plan subscribers.
Now you can watch ESPN without cable. Stream live NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, college sports, plus SportsCenter, First Take, and all your favorite ESPN shows—anytime, anywhere—only in the ESPN app.
The Tennis Channel will also be showing delayed coverage of select matches throughout the tournament. Along with ESPN channels, they can be found on streaming service fubo.
What time does Jannik Sinner vs. Alexander Zverev start today?
- Date: Sunday, July 12, 2026
- Time: 11 a.m. ET | 8 a.m. PT
The final of this year’s men’s Wimbledon singles final will take place at 11 a.m. ET on Centre Court.