As usual, the Jannik Sinner vs. Carlos Alcaraz matchup did not disappoint.
In their 10th meeting and first ATP 500 final, Alcaraz outlasted Sinner 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3) to capture the China Open title on Wednesday night. The Spaniard came back from a set down, from two break points down at 3-4 in the second, and from 3-0 down in the third-set tiebreaker to triumph after three hours and 21 minutes.
“He could [have won] in two, I could [have won] in two, he could [have won] in three; it was a really close match,” Alcaraz commented. “Jannik, once again he showed that he’s the best player in the world–at least for me. The level that he’s playing, it’s unbelievable. It’s a really high quality of tennis. Physically (and) mentally, he’s a beast.”
In this match, though, it was Alcaraz’s physical and mental toughness that helped him clinch victory even though he played from behind most of the way. The second seed’s first notable lead finally arrived when he broke Sinner for 2-1 in the decider, but the Italian eventually broke back for 4-4. A 3-0, double-break advantage for Sinner in the ensuing ‘breaker felt like it would be enough, but Alcaraz promptly reeled off seven points in succession with a flurry of incredible shot-making.
“I never lost hope,” the four-time major champion assured. “Three-love down, two mini-breaks for him, . I didn’t lose hope…. But I thought, ‘Okay, I have to give everything that I have just to try to give myself the opportunity to be close.’
“I played great points just to make 3-all and after that I just thought to go for it. If I lost it, at least I went for it. So that’s all I thought in that moment.”
Alcaraz is now 3-0 against Sinner this season and 6-4 overall in what has been an enthralling head-to-head series. Sinner was the defending champion in Beijing but still holds a huge lead atop the ATP rankings. With his 500 points for the title, Alcaraz is back up to No. 2 in the world–passing Alexander Zverev.
