Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner LIVE: China Open result and final score from blockbuster Beijing Open final
Alcaraz won his first title since Wimbledon as he ended Sinner’s winning streak with a 6-7(6) 6-4 7-6(3) victory in Beijing
Carlos Alcaraz took the final seven points in row to win a thrilling deciding tiebreak and beat young rival Jannik Sinner, claiming the China Open title while snapping the World No 1’s 15-match winning streak.
Alcaraz improved his head-to-head with Sinner to 6-4 with his third victory against the Italian in a row, coming from behind to win 6-7(6) 6-4 7-6(3) in three hours and 21 minutes in a blockuster Beijing final.
Alcaraz, himself with an eight-match win streak coming into the final, made the better start and served for the first set at 5-3. But Sinner dug in and broke the Spaniard to stay alive. Sinner saved three set points, including two in the tiebreak, as he upped his level.
Sinner and Alcaraz saved break points midway through the second set - Alcaraz doing so during an epic 15-minute game, which proved crucial as he levelled at a one-set all. Incredible defence from Alcaraz saw the 21-year-old force the decider.
And the momentum continued into the third set as Alcaraz found the early breakthrough. Sinner resisted the double-break and Alcaraz failed to serve it out as the Italian broke back and forced a match tiebreak.
Alcaraz was 3-0 down in the tiebreak, with Sinner about to serve, before the Spaniard produced a stunning fightback fuelled by attacking tennis to win the next seven points and claim his fourth title of the season and his first since Wimbledon.
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 3-3 Jannik Sinner*
A little look here for Sinner as he fires a forehand into Alcaraz’s feet and the Spaniard returns into the net: it’s 15-30 for Sinner against serve.
Sinner would like a couple of these balls back as Alcaraz grinds his way back to 40-30, with the Italian missing rally balls.
But Sinner then reads Alcaraz at the net, and produces the backhand pass! Onto deuce we go, and still a chance for Sinner here.
Great direction from Alcaraz. He holds behind two wonderfully constructed points, putting away the volley to hold and get back to 3-3.
That’s more like it.
*Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 2-3 Jannik Sinner
Consecutive love-holds for Alcaraz and then Sinner, who marches confidently back to his seat. One thing to watch out for: Alcaraz has come from behind to beat Sinner in both of their meetings in 2024.
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 2-2 Jannik Sinner*
There’s a crisp forehand winner from Sinner as he holds again at the start of set two. It’s been an assured start.
Alcaraz matches it. After a long first set and high-quality tiebreak, it feels as if both Alcaraz and Sinner are catching their breath.
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 1-1 Jannik Sinner*
Alcaraz did not serve well at all at 5-3 in the first set or in the tiebreak. He jumps out to 40-0 here, though.
But Sinner is reading his opponent right now, and chases down the Alcaraz drop shot.
The 21-year-old is relieved to see Sinner fire long on the forehand.
*Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 0-1 Jannik Sinner
Sinner gets to serve at the start of this set, too. The Italian has meanwhile improved his 2024 tiebreak record to 22-6.
More please. The level in the tiebreak was very high, as Alcaraz became a little flustered by Sinner’s resistance.
Sinner opens up his forehand and holds at the start of the second set. It will be Alcaraz facing scoreboard pressure in set two.
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 Jannik Sinner- Sinner wins FIRST SET!
Wild from Alcaraz! The ball sat up for the forehand strike but the Spaniard pushes long! Sinner with set point now, and on serve!
Long from Alcaraz! Sinner escapes and somehow wins the set at his first opportunity! Relentless from Sinner, and so steely!
The World No 1 leads the China Open final, after a 70-minute first set.
Alcaraz led 5-2, and then had three set points, including two in the tiebreak. But Sinner stood firm. He did not lead the set until the very end.
Carlos Alcaraz 6-6 Jannik Sinner - TIEBREAK!
A rare error, and a chance now for Alcaraz as Sinner slumps a forehand into the net from the baseline. 4-3 Alcaraz with two serves to come.
What defence from Sinner! Incredible. Looked a certain point for Alcaraz, but he digs out the backhand. Alcaraz nets from down low! 4-4.
Sinner nets on the forehand from wide. 5-4 Alcaraz with Sinner to serve next.
Magic from Alcaraz! Sinner can’t find the corner with the forehand and Alcaraz takes aim on the backhand. he cracks one crosscourt. 6-4 and two set points.
ACE from Sinner. Another set point to come, with Alcaraz to serve. Sinner reads the Alcaraz serve and lands a brilliant return inside the baseline!
It’s 6-6 and Sinner has now saved three set points! We go on!
Carlos Alcaraz 6-6 Jannik Sinner - TIEBREAK!
Sinner finds his best level of the match so far and forces Alcaraz into his very best defence to run from side to side. It’s not good enough, as Sinner swats the winner. A big serve out wide and Sinner leads 2-1 Sinner.
Amazing from Alcaraz! Under high pressure he turns to the inside-out dropshot on the forehand. Sublime. A second brilliant point from Alcaraz in a row. He puts away the drop-volley, with lovely side-spin. 3-2 Alcaraz.
Sinner with a huge one-two punch. Quality tennis from both in this tiebreak. 3-3.
Carlos Alcaraz 6-6 Jannik Sinner - TIEBREAK!
Sinner’s tiebreak record this year: 21-6
Alcaraz’s tiebreak record this year: 14-10
Carlos Alcaraz 6-6 Jannik Sinner - TIEBREAK!
Woah! A big miss from Sinner at the net in the opening point of the 12th game. The Italian swipes at the ball in frustration.
Alcaraz pushes long on the forehand and misses by a big margin. But a double-fault from Sinner means Alcaraz is now just two points away...
Alcaraz looks up to the sky as his backhand drifts long, a second miss on a routine shot from the Spaniard in this game.
30-30. Would you believe it! A second double fault from Sinner! It brings up a set point for Alcaraz.
Sinner saves! Lovely hands at the net from the Italian, and Alcaraz can’t reach it before the second bounce.
Deuce... Sinner finds two first serves and survives to make it to the tie-break, swatting away the forehand winner.
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