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, winning 6-7 6-4 7-6 in three hours and 20 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 first title since Wimbledon.
Follow live updates and the latest score from Beijing as Alcaraz and Sinner meet in the final of the China Open
Jannik Sinner speaks after defeat to Carlos Alcaraz: ‘We just fell short'
“First of all, I would like to start with Carlos. Keep going, you have a great team behind you and a great family. I wish you only the best. Hopefully we’ll play a couple of more times in the future, I’m quite sure [we will]. It’s a big pleasure to share the court with you - so thank you so much.
“Of course thank you to my team and my box and everyone who supports me. The work never stops. I’m happy to be in this position but we fell short. It was a great battle again and in a couple of days there is another opportunity. Thank you for the support.”
Carlos Alcaraz wins fourth title of 2024
It had been a tough couple of months for Alcaraz, with his emotional defeat to Novak Djokovic in the Olympics final and shock exit in the second round of the US Open.
But the 21-year-old has now claimed his fourth title of the year in China after wins at Indians Wells, the French Open and Wimbledon. In three of those titles, he has beaten Sinner.
He’s also closed the gap to Sinner and the World No 1 ranking. Could he claim it over the final weeks of the season?
Carlos Alcaraz extends winning streak against Jannik Sinner
Alcaraz has now won three matches against Sinner in a row, improving their head-to-head to 6-4. It’s also the third time in a row that Alcaraz has beaten Sinner from a set down.
Since losing in the US Open second round, Alcaraz now has nine wins in a row across Davis Cup, Laver Cup and now the China Open.
This was Sinner’s first defeat in 16 matches. He had been unbeaten since August.
Moment of the match: Alcaraz wins stunning point in tiebreak
Alcaraz and Sinner did it again, producing tennis from another dimension - including this unbelievable point in the tiebreak.
Down 3-1 in the tiebreak, Alcaraz had to win it. He did. It was one of seven points he won in a row to win the title.
TENNIS FROM ANOTHER PLANET! 😍 pic.twitter.com/GHfVyIwDJn
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) October 2, 2024
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Carlos Alcaraz wins the China Open!
Our champion, Carlos Alcaraz, speaking to Sky Sports post-match:
“He could win in two. I could win in two. He could win in three. It was a really close match. Jannik showed once again he showed he’s the best player in the world at least for me with the level that he’s playing.
“It is unbelievable. He’s the best. It was high-quality. I had my chances in the first set but didn’t make it, but I’m proud of the way I built the match, the way that I managed everything.
“I never lost hope but I had to give everything. I played great points to make it 3-3 and then decided to go for it.”
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 7-6 Jannik Sinner
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Carlos Alcaraz wins the China Open!
Amazing. Just amazing. Alcaraz was 2-0 down when he went to change his shoes in the tiebreak. Then 3-0 down with Sinner about to serve twice. From there, he won the next seven points, while playing some of his best tennis of the match after three hours and 20 minutes.
What a final, and what a rivalry these two have. So many twists, turns, and brilliant points. Alcaraz a deserved winner but he had to fight all the way.
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 6-6 Jannik Sinner - TIEBREAK!
Alcaraz is transformed! He returns to the net and is all over Sinner, putting the volley past him. 4-3 to Alcaraz.
Now a thundering forehand winner from Alcaraz! That flew past Sinner before he knew it. Alcaraz unloads on the forehand and finds the line!
FIVE points in a row! 5-3. The pressure gets to Sinner and he pushes long on the forehand! SIX in a row for Alcaraz!
AND THREE CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS! ANOTHER FOREHAND WINNER FROM ALCARAZ AND HE’S WON A THRILLER IN BEIJING!
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 6-6 Jannik Sinner - TIEBREAK!
POINT! Alcaraz had to win that, and stays alive as Sinner reaches his drop shot but Alcaraz fflicks the winner into opener court.
WHAT POINT! POINT OF THE MATCH! THESE TWO!!! Alcaraz gets the break back, but how?? It’s amazing from both, Sinner and Alcaraz stretching the court. So many outstanding recoveries, but Alcaraz is there to flick the final passing shot at the net!
ACE! Three points in a row from Alcaraz! 3-3!
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 6-6 Jannik Sinner - TIEBREAK!
Reminder that Sinner is now 22-6 in tiebreaks this year. Alcaraz is 14-11.
And Sinner gets off to a strong start, with a first serve and thumping smash. DROP SHOT from Sinner! Unreal! It beats Alcaraz! Such a lovely disguise!
2-0 to Sinner! And now Alcaraz needs to change his shoes! His shoe-lace is broken!
Not for the first time, Alcaraz’s second serve is hesitant. Sinner attacks, and moves 3-0 in front with two serves to come!
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 6-6 Jannik Sinner - TIEBREAK!
Alcaraz with a confident start as he swats away the winner and then lands a first serve down the middle to get to 30-0.
Sinner finds a lovely direction on the backhand but makes a return error on the next point. 40-15, as Alcaraz finds a brilliant serve, forehand, and smash.
A match tiebreak to decide the final? On we go. Brilliant drama.
