Alex de Minaur had declared before the Vienna Open semi-final that, “I’m always ready mate”. Unfortunately for the Aussie No.1 the world No.2 is always too good when they meet.

For the 12th time in as many meetings Jannik Sinner has beaten de Minaur, the Italian taking 90 minutes to ease into the final in Austria, where he will play Alexander Zverev.

De Minaur had been encouraged by taking a set off Sinner in Beijing recently, the first time he had avoided a straight-sets defeat in their meetings, but there was no repeat as he went down 6-3 6-4.

The Sydneysider did become the first player to break Sinner’s serve in the tournament, doing so twice, but it mattered little.

In the first set he was already 4-0 down having won just four points when he broke. In the second he was already a br

See Full Page