MELBOURNE: Alexander Zverev said that Jannik Sinner is as good as Novak Djokovic at his peak and on “a different universe” after the German was well beaten in Sunday´s Australian Open final.

Top-ranked Italian Sinner retained his Melbourne crown with a ruthless 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 victory over the second-seeded Zverev. It was 23-year-old Sinner´s third Grand Slam title, having also won the US Open.

Zverev said he felt almost powerless against an opponent he admitted was better in almost every facet of the sport. “He´s very, very similar to Novak when he was at his best,” Zverev said, drawing favourable comparisons between Sinner and 24-time major champion Djokovic.

“They barely miss, they make you think like you have to overhit all the time to have a chance in a rally against them.