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 6-5 Jannik Sinner*
Alcaraz smothers the net and stops the run at three games, putting away a couple of volleys on his way to getting a hold.
Are we heading for a tie-break? Sinner’s record this year is very good (21-6), and I reckon Alcaraz’s isn’t too bad either.
*Carlos Alcaraz 5-5 Jannik Sinner
That was crazy from Sinner. He came alive when he needed to and produced a much better level in the rallies, even if Alcaraz’s first serve went missing on the key points.
He still needs to hold here. Alcaraz had a look at the Sinner serve on 0-15 but clipped the net-cord with the backhand. Another miss from Alcaraz on the backhand.
Alcaraz attacked the Sinner backhand on game point but the Italian is reading his opponent better now. Alcaraz pushes wide.
Three games in a row for Sinner and we’re level again.
Carlos Alcaraz 5-4 Jannik Sinner* - Sinner breaks!
Solid from Sinner on the baseline. This time Alcaraz is forced ito the miss as he pushes wide on the backhand.
But the response is superb - Alcaraz firing from the hip and he unloads on the inside-out forehand winner.
A lovely wide serve chops up Sinner, and the Italian clings on as he return clips the line.
Sinner makes the most of it and produces a lovely angle on the forehand winner. 30-30.
Return winner from Sinner! Alcaraz’s second serve sat up, and he attacked on the forehand crosscourt.
Break point: Sinner locks in and finds amazing depth to the baseline. Alcaraz nets!
Sinner breaks back and stays alive in the set!
*Carlos Alcaraz 5-3 Jannik Sinner
Sinner finds some serving and his first ace. A fortunate net-cord helps him to the hold and forces Alcaraz to serve it out with 40 minutes on the match clock.
Sinner takes the hold with a forehand winner - he needs more of that with Alcaraz taking such an aggressive approach.
Carlos Alcaraz 5-2 Jannik Sinner*
Alcaraz attacks the net on the opening point and then continues to target the Sinner backhand. The Italian actually read this one, but fired wide on the forehand.
And Alcaraz continues to move closer to the set. A brilliant point, but Alcaraz defends superbly and Sinner is forced into another messy error.
He’d done enough to win the point but Alcaraz moved so well across the baseline. He holds to love and moves a game away.
*Carlos Alcaraz 4-2 Jannik Sinner
Alcaraz makes a wonderful start, rushing into the net after landing a lovely volley inside the baseline on the opening point. He’s all over Sinner right now.
How Sinner needed a hold. He survives another Alcaraz attack by finding a clever backhand before Alcaraz pushes long on the forehand.
Then, a rare first serve pushes Alcaraz wide onto his backhand. The Spaniard nets.
Carlos Alcaraz 4-1 Jannik Sinner*
A confident hold from Alcaraz, as he turns to his drop shot on the opening point to catch Sinner out. The Italian then pushes wide on the backhand and is unable to take advantage of an improvised return.
Another baseline exchange does Alcaraz’s way. He consolidates the break.
*Carlos Alcaraz 3-1 Jannik Sinner - Alcaraz breaks!
A double fault from Sinner on 15-15 hands an opening to Alcaraz and the Spaniard attacks to step into the net and put away the volley to get a look at break point for the second game in a row.
And he takes it! Alcaraz attacked with the forehand, but it’s the backhand to Sinner’s that earns him the breakthrough. Brilliant striking from Alcaraz and Sinner is forced into the miss.
Carlos Alcaraz 2-1 Jannik Sinner*
Sinner asks the question of Alcaraz after getting to 15-30 and then the Spaniard gets a little loose coming in for the volley. It lands out and Sinner gets his first look at break point.
Alcaraz maintains his aggressive approach break point down and Sinner nets on the forehand. Another deuce game.
Brilliant! Sinner took charge from the baseline as he found an angle on the forehand. He sends Alcaraz running wide on the backhand, but he delivers the winner down the line.
Alcaraz steps in on the forehand - another winner! Great save from Alcaraz.
*Carlos Alcaraz 1-1 Jannik Sinner
Sinner gets to game point but Alcaraz eats up the second serve and launches himself into the forehand. Sinner defends at first but then drifts the forehand long.
Alcaraz nets on the return, but then Sinner gets his hold. Alcaraz looked to attack the net but Sinner stood firm and thumps the forehand winner after reading his opponent.
That was a classic Alcaraz-Sinner exchange. Nice hold from Sinner from 0-40 down.
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