It was a decent effort but the lob doesn't pay off this time for Jannik Sinner. But he stays within touching distance of Alexander Zverev thanks to a couple of misses from the German second seed. 40-30.

Image source, Getty Images

Awe from the Centre Court crowd as Jannik Sinner lifts a lob over Alexander Zverev and finds the baseline. Lovely stuff.

That wraps up a love hold for the defending champion.

Andre Agassi
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC One

I think one of the differences that Zverev has when he has played Sinner is that he does tend to hit it to bigger spots, and Sinner gets a shocking amount of returns against Zverev’s serve.

The accuracy is going to be so important. Zverev can afford to take more chances going closer to the lines.

Alexander Zverev gets his service game up and running with a 141mph serve. Even Jannik Sinner is going to have problems returning those.

The Italian doesn't get a sniff in that game as Zverev holds to love.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport tennis news reporter at Wimbledon

The Wimbledon finals weekend is always an elegant affair, with spectators looking glam in their sharp suits and fancy frocks.

Lots of spenny shades too.

So it is quite startling to see a couple walk in wearing German football shirts - one with 'Muller 13' on the back - just in time to see Zverev serve.

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Live

The early indications are that Zverev is going for it here this afternoon.

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A smile from Jannik Sinner as let is called on three straight serves.

But that doesn't seem to impact his serving powers too much and two big ones help him over the line.

Marion Bartoli
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

We are in, people!

Have you seen how Zverev has been hitting that forehand cross-court? Think that is 10mph faster than any of his previous rounds.

22-shot rally - that will warm them up.

Jannik Sinner goes on the attack, but Alexander Zverev draws the Italian in with a drop shot which leaves him stranded at the net and Zverev ends the 22-shot rally by aiming into the empty court left behind.

An ace pulls Sinner level at 30-30.

Image source, Getty Images

The top seed versus the second seed. Here we go...

Jannik Sinner, the defending champion, serves first to get the 2026 men's singles final at Wimbledon under way.

"End of warm-up" says the umpire.

We're nearly ready to go...

The winner of today's men's singles final will pocket £3.6m in prize money, while the runner-up collects £1.8m.

Tim Henman
Former British number one on BBC One

I think Sinner will have more support but I don’t think that will have much say in the outcome. They’re both very experienced.

The heat will make the ball travel further but there is a breeze down here that takes the edge off things.

Image source, AFP via Getty Images

Recent history suggests Jannik Sinner should be entirely confident of retaining his Wimbledon title - but this Alexander Zverev is a different proposition.

World number one Sinner is aiming to become just the 10th man in the Open era to retain the men's singles title at the All England Club, after beating Carlos Alcaraz to lift the trophy for the first time last summer.

The 24-year-old Italian has won each of his past nine meetings with Zverev - and the past six without losing a set.

But Sinner is wary of the threat posed by Zverev, after the German ended his long wait for a maiden Grand Slam success at last month's French Open.

For so long it appeared Zverev was destined to end his career as arguably the best men's player never to win a major title.

But the 29-year-old ensured he will avoid that tag by prevailing against Italy's Flavio Cobolli in the Roland Garros final - his 41st appearance at a major.

Read Harry Poole's preview here.

Andre Agassi
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC One

They certainly have a lot of experience in that [Sinner] team. A great final to look forward to. Both guys coming out knowing exactly what they need to do.

It is way, way more important for Zverev to be serving well because I tell you what, when Sinner gets ahead in that point he will keep you on ice skates out there. It is not easy for tall guys to move well on this surface so serving well and being highly aggressive for Zverev is going to be highly important.

In the last nine times they have played, Sinner has lost his serve just once to Zverev and has broken him 24 times. So I'd like to see Zverev go a little closer to the line on his serve because he tends to play high-percentage because he can still hit in 130s speed, but I don't think that is going to affect Sinner as much as it has his other opponents.

I think this final is on Sinner's racquet, but I think if Zverev can free himself up off that forehand wing and first serve, get some free points and put scoreboard pressure back on Sinner. But it's hard to change what you have been doing.

Image source, PA Media

Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner are welcomed to a standing ovation as they emerge from the locker room and into the sunshine.

Incredibly, both players are looking extremely relaxed. I wonder what's going on inside their heads, though.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport tennis news reporter at Wimbledon

"Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. The players will shortly be arriving on court."

A whoop of excitement goes up and the phones come out.

Cameras are poised for Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev walking out onto Centre Court.

But first, if the Royal Family is your thing, you can get a snap of the Prince and Princess of Wales walking into the posh seats to a warm cheer ringing in their ears.

John McEnroe
Three-time Wimbledon singles champion on BBC One

The good news for Zverev is he has got the monkey off the back, so to speak. That is huge. He was going to have to live with that quite possibly, if he didn't win the French Open final, for the rest of his life, so now the floodgates could potentially open.

It is a different player right now confidence-wise. He hasn't had to beat these guys, he hasn't had to beat Sinner, or Alcaraz or Djokovic in the French Open, he has only had to play Sinner here. That is one guy and he could have two slams in row and could win three or four more after this.

This is the perfect time for him to let it go. He went to Rafa [Nadal] a year ago and he said 'you have got to be brave and go for it'.

You certainly see that to me in this tournament, but that is easier said then done against Jannik, obviously.