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
Elsewhere at the China Open: Zhang Shuai reaches quarter-finals
Have you heard the story of Zhang Shuai? You should have, as it’s perhaps one of the best stories in sport right now.
The veteran wildcard came into the China Open having lost 24 singles matches in a row, but has now won four victories in succession with a 6-4 6-2 win over Magdalena Frech.
Ranked 595th in the world, Zhang will is through to the quarter-finals where she will take on 15th seed Paula Badosa, who upset US Open finalist Jessica Pegula 6-4 6-0.
A tennis player snapped a 24-match losing streak. Now she can’t stop winning
Zhang Shuai was without a win in 603 days but now has four in a row to reach the quarter-finals of the Beijing Open
Daniil Medvedev reveals joke that made Carlos Alcaraz laugh after China Open defeat
Daniil Medvedev told Carlos Alcaraz that he would have to try dressing up like Botic van de Zandschulp after the Spaniard advanced to the final of the China Open with a 7-5 6-3 victory in Beijing.
Alcaraz was stunned by Van de Zandschulp in the second round of the US Open last month, in one of the biggest upsets of the season.
After Alcaraz beat Medvedev for the third time this year, the World No 5 covered his mouth as he went to shake hands and said something to the Spaniard that made him laugh and shake his head.
And in his press conference after the match, Medvedev explained: “I told Carlos next match I’m going to paint my hair blond and put ‘Botic’ here [drawing a line across his chest].
“Maybe this can help. As I say, today I played pretty well. I don’t see how I could beat him today, on a given day today.”
Daniil Medvedev reveals joke that made Carlos Alcaraz laugh after China Open defeat
Alcaraz advanced to the China Open final as he extended his winning run to eight matches since the US Open
Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner: Route to final
Unlike his opponent, Carlos Alcaraz is yet to drop a set in Beijing. The Spaniard reached the final thanks to wins over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Tallon Griekspoor, Karen Khachanov and Daniil Medvedev.
His victory over Medvedev featured some brilliant tennis, as Alcaraz extended his winning streak over the Russian to four matches since losing to him in the US Open semi-finals last season.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner: Route to final
Jannik Sinner is the defending China Open champion. He actually beat Alcaraz in last year’s semi-final before taking down Daniil Medvedev 7-6 7-6. It’s crazy to think that Sinner was actually only the sixth seed in the tournament.
This year, Sinner has continued his hot-streak. Since losing the opening set of his opening match against Nicolas Jarry, Sinner has beaten Roman Safiullin, Jiri Lehecka and the Chinese wildcard Bu Yunchaokete to reach a second straight final.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner: Head to heads
The China Open final is Alcaraz and Sinner’s 10th career meeting but just the second in the final of a tournament. The only other final thay have played was on the clay in Umag two years ago, which Sinner won in three sets.
Recently, Alcaraz and Sinner have found themselves on the same half of the draw and their last five meetings have been in semi-finals. That includes the French Open semi-final this season, which Alcaraz won in five sets.
Alcaraz leads the head-to-head 5-4. Will it become 5-5 or 6-4 today?
When is Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner?
Alcaraz and Sinner are set to meet in the China Open final on Tuesday 2 October. The match is scheduled to begin at 10am BST.
How can I watch the China Open final?
Sky Sports has the rights for the China Open and will be showing Alcaraz vs Sinner on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Tennis.
If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner start time and how to watch China Open final
The two young rivals split the grand slam titles this season, with Sinner winning his first on the hard-courts of the Australian Open and the US Open and Alcaraz conquering the other surfaces by winning the French Open and Wimbledon.
Now, after five consecutive meetings in semi-finals, Alcaraz, 21, and Sinner, 23, will face each other in a final for the first time in two years. The Spaniard has won both of their matches this season, including a five-set victory in the French Open semi-finals.
But Sinner defeated Alcaraz on his way to winning the China Open last season, and the Italian has been the best player in the world since the turn of the year. The World No 1 won the US Open last month amid his ongoing anti-doping controversy.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the China Open final.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner start time and how to watch China Open final
Alcaraz and Sinner will face off for the title in Beijing in what is their first final in two years
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