Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner LIVE: China Open latest score and updates from blockbuster Beijing final
Alcaraz and Sinner are meeting in a final for the first time since 2022, having split the grand slams this season
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner do battle in a blockbuster China Open final and a clash between the two best players in the world this year.
World No 1 Sinner, 23 won the Australian Open and US Open for his first grand slam titles this season but in between Alcaraz, 21, lifted the French Open and Wimbledon titles. Alcaraz defeated Sinner in five sets in the Roland Garros semi-final, in what was the last meeting of the two young rivals.
This will be the 10th match between the Italian and Spaniard, and their first final since 2022 after five consecutive clashes in semi-finals. Sinner won the China Open last year and is looking to defend his crown, with Alcaraz trying to close the gap to World No 1 over the remainder of the season.
Off the court, Sinner continues to play amid his anti-doping controversy, which has taken a fresh twist since the start of Beijing. Sinner, though, has racked up 15 wins in a row, while Alcaraz has won eight in a row since his shock defeat in the US Open second round.
Follow live updates and the latest score from Beijing as Alcaraz and Sinner meet in the final of the China Open
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 4-5 Jannik Sinner*
A nervy point from Alcaraz as a miss brings up 15-30, putting Sinner two points away from the final.
POINT! Alcaraz survives! Sinner had the chance to make the pass on the forehand, but Alcaraz stretches to make the volley! 30-30.
Oof. Now Alcaraz catches the line with a backhand crosscourt! That was bold. 40-30, Alcaraz with the chance as he meets the volley, but he nets!
Incredible. Deuce.
*Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 4-5 Jannik Sinner
Remarkable. Now it’s Sinner with the momentum and energy in the rallies. The Italian leaps to put away a smash to get to 30-0.
Alcaraz responds with a lovely drop shot, that Sinner nudges down the line but just out. Another twist: double fault from Sinner! 30-30!
SINNER! The World No 1 holds as he races to reach a net-cord, and flick the backhand down the line.
Three games in a row - now he leads!
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 4-4 Jannik Sinner* - Sinner breaks!
Now then! Sinner leans into the backhand and finds a sweet strike down the line to get to 0-30.
Alcaraz then pushes long on the forehand! A bad miss, and it brings up three break points for Sinner!
Alcaraz with good aggressive play on the forhand to save the first, but he’s in a hole here.
Sinner clips the net-cord... and it lands in! Alcaraz steadies, but blasts wide!
Sinner, from nowhere, breaks back! 4-4! That was a bad, bad game from Alcaraz.
*Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 4-3 Jannik Sinner
Sinner gets the hold as Alcaraz takes a wild swing on a second serve. Alcaraz looked like a player there who knows he’s just two holds away and can have a go against serve.
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 4-2 Jannik Sinner*
Sinner does not look happy with himself on the opening point as he misses on the backhand. Alcaraz takes full advantage, with a couple of big forehand blows landing to see him through to 40-15.
An ACE from Alcaraz earns the Spaniard a hold. Two games needed, but are we set for any more twists and turns?
*Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 3-2 Jannik Sinner
How about this level from Alcaraz?! Sinner may have dipped, but Alcaraz is on the charge. He blasts the return to bring up two break points and the chance for the double break.
Sinner is in trouble and knows it. He saves the first with an ace out wide, then the second as Alcaraz nets on the backhand.
This is a must-hold game. Drop shot into the net from Alcaraz! But Alcaraz then steps in and directs the backhand return up the line for a winner.
Sinner stops the run. Alcaraz pushes wide on the backhand, and Sinner knows he’s escaped with that .
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 3-1 Jannik Sinner*
Sinner is not looking as comfortable now. The Italian limps a drop shot into the net and then Alcaraz steps in to power a forehand winner, moving to 40-0. Sinner returns into the net as Alcaraz consolidates the break.
Make that six of the last seven games since Alcaraz trailed 3-4 in the second.
*Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 2-1 Jannik Sinner - Alcaraz breaks!
Alcaraz launches into a huge forehand winner, and then dials up the pressure on Sinner on the defensive side! Alcaraz makes the sprints from side to side look so effortless, and he forces Sinner into the miss.
Two break points for Alcaraz. Sinner saves the first, in style, with an Alcaraz-style inside out drop shot, then putting away the volley.
Can he save the second too? Wild return from Alcaraz! He went big on that, but comes up short. Alcaraz corrects humself on deuce, finding the baseline.
And on the third break point, Alcaraz takes his chance! He ramps up the power on the forehand and finds a sweet strike, that Sinner can’t return. He takes the early breakthrough, and has now won five of the last six games.
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 1-1 Jannik Sinner*
The intensity of the rallies really went up a level midway through the second set. Let’s hope it continues into the decider, which could easily hit the three-hour mark
Sinner serves first and jumps out to 40-0 to get us going. Alcaraz finds a lovely disguised drop shot. Alcaraz then goes long on the backhand.
The 21-year-old then knocks out a quick hold of serve to love, much like the start of the second set so far.
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 Jannik Sinner - Alcaraz wins second set!
POINT! This is so good from Alcaraz and Sinner, but it’s the Spaniard in charge! He wins a brilliant, side-to-side exchange before directing the forehand winner.
ACE! Three set points for Alcaraz! He was broken serving for the first set, and is looking to avoid a repeat of that here.
Sinner nets. Alcaraz levels! An epic fightback from two break points down at 4-3. Two hours and seven minutes in, we’re heading for a decider!
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