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 1-0 Jannik Sinner*
Awesome ball-striking from both on the opening point of the Sinner service game, but Alcaraz comes out on top as he sends Sinner the wrong way.
Alcaraz then steps in behind the forehand and cracks the winner inside the line. An early chance for the 21-year-old at 0-30.
Sinner comes into the net but leaves a gap for Alcaraz to find and he sends a third consecutive winner to bring up three break points.
A chance for Alcaraz - but the pick-up volley drifts out. Alcaraz then goes long, so two break points saved from Sinner.
HUGE serve. That’s three break points saved from the Italian. Onto deuce we go.
Carlos Alcaraz 1-0 Jannik Sinner*
A wicked backand return down the from Sinner on the opening point, he goes the same way on 15-15 and Alcaraz cracks his backhand into the net.
15-30. But Alcaraz ramps up the forehand on the first pressure point and gets his reward as Sinner is pushed back.
Good serving from Alcaraz and another big forehand blast as the Spaniard holds to start this China Open final.
*Carlos Alcaraz 0-0 Jannik Sinner
The Diamond Court in Beijing is a lovely, circular bowl, like a bullfighting ring. And it’s completely full for this morning’s blockbuster final. Alcaraz will serve to get us started.
“Denotes next server
Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner: And here they come!
We’re almost ready to go in Beijijng! Alcaraz leads Sinner out onto the court for what is their second ATP Tour final. It’s a treat for tennis fans at the China Open.
Alcaraz is already jumping around the court in his sleeveless vest, while Sinner walks out in his hoodie before shaking hands at the net with his young rival.
We’ll have a quick knock-up and then begin. Sinner wins the toss and elects to receive.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner: Head to heads
There are usually fireworks when Alcaraz and Sinner meet and they’ve played some classic matches already.
The US Open quarter-final was record-breaking as the latest finish in New York, while the Miami Open semi-final last year produced the ATP’s point of the year.
2024: Roland Garros, semi-final, outdoor clay - Alcaraz wins in five sets
2024: Indian Wells, semi-final, outdoor hard - Alcaraz wins in three sets
2023: China Open, semi-final, outdoor hard - Sinner wins in two sets
2023: Miami Open, semi-final, outdoor hard - Sinner wins in three sets
2023: Indian Wells, semi-final, outdoor hard - Alcaraz wins in two sets
2022: US Open, quarter-final, outdoor hard - Alcaraz wins in five sets
2022: Umag, final, outdoor clay - Sinner wins in three sets
2022: Wimbledon, round of 16, grass - Sinner wins in four sets
2021: Paris Masters, round of 32, indoor hard - Alcaraz wins in two sets
Elsewhere in men’s tennis: Arthur Fils wins dramatic Japan Open final
There was a brilliant final at the Japan Open yesterday, where 20-year-old Arthur Fils defeated French compatriot Ugo Humbert 5-7 7-6 (6) 6-3 to win his third ATP Tour title.
Fils received treatment to his left ankle and was in deep trouble at 0-40 down in the eighth game of the second set but he recovered, saved a match point in the tie-break and went on to clinch victory.
It capped a stunning week for the youngster, ranked 24, who beat Taylor Fritz, Matteo Berrettini, Ben Shelton and Holger Rune on his way to the final.
What a run.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner: Hot streaks!
Jannik Sinner has not lost since his defeat to Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals of Montreal on 11 August - although Sinner struggled with a hip injury after having to play two matches in one day.
Since then, Sinner has won Cincinnati and the US Open and has carried his form into Beijing. The Italian has won 15 matches in a row.
Carlos Alcaraz was on the wrong end of one of the biggest shocks in US Open history when he lost to Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round of the US Open.
The Spaniard was fatigued having won the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back, before reaching the Olympic final at Roland Garros.
Since New York, Alcaraz has returned to form: over the Davis Cup, Laver Cup and now China Open, Alcaraz has won eight matches in a row and looked back to his best against Daniil Medvedev.
Interestingly, Alcaraz ended Sinner’s 19-match winning run from the Australian Open when he beat him in the Indian Wells semi-finals earlier this season.
Jannik Sinner looks forward to Carlos Alcaraz battle in China Open final
Jannik Sinner, speaking after his victory over Bu Yunchaokete to set up a China Open final with Carlos Alcaraz:
“It’s going to be a tough match. We know each other very well now, but every match is different, so the situation on the court is also a bit different than it was the last two matches. But let’s see.
“I’m happy to be again here in the final. My season is going very, very good and playing finals is always a great moment. I just hope tomorrow is going to be a good match from both of us.”
Jannik Sinner’s anti-doping saga takes new twist at China Open
Jannik Sinner has said that he is “very disappointed and also surprised” after the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) announced that it would be appealing the decision to clear the Italian of a doping offence.
An independent tribunal found that the World No 1 was not at fault despite twice testing positive for a banned substance earlier this year.
Sinner secured his second grand slam title of the year at the US Open just 19 days after the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced that it accepted his explanation that the anabolic agent had entered his body after receiving massages from a member of his team.
But on Saturday, the 23-year-old’s future was thrown back into doubt after Wada announced an intention to challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).
Jannik Sinner ‘disappointed and surprised’ after Wada appeals doping decision
The World No 1 was cleared of fault by an independent tribunal after testing positive for a banned substance earlier this year
Elsewhere at the China Open: Osaka forced to retire from Guaff match
It’s been a strong week of matches at the China Open but hopefully today’s blockbuster between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner does not end the same way as yesterday’s popcorn match.
That’s after Coco Gauff helped carry Naomi Osaka’s bags off the court when the former World No 1 retired from their highly anticipated China Open quarter-final with a back injury.
Gauff had just levelled the match at one-set all when Osaka shook hands with her opponent, having received medical treatment earlier in the contest.
“It was a good match up until this point,” Gauff said. “I wish Naomi a speedy recovery. No one wants to win a match like this, especially one-set all.”
Coco Gauff helps carry Naomi Osaka’s bags off court after shock China Open retirement
Osaka retired with a back injury just after Gauff levelled the China Open quarter-final at one-set all
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