Written by Richard Pagliaro | @Itenisi_Manje | Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Photo credit: Lintao Zhang/Getty
Firecrackers explode when the world’s No. 1 Jannik Sinner meets the most exciting player in the world Carlos Alcaraz.
Down 0-3 in the tiebreaker final, Alcaraz roared back with seven straight points to outscore Sinner 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3) in the Beijing final.
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Reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon winner Alcaraz snapped Sinner’s 15-match hitting streak with a 9-0 scoreline in Beijing to knock out the defending champion in a final matchup with Sinner who claimed one of the top 5 matches of his career.
“It’s definitely in the top three, top five [matches I’ve played],” said Sinner. “7-6 in the third in the final, it’s always tough. I’ve had some great games before, even though I’m still a young player.
“But yes, I’m always happy to do new experiences, I’m trying to grow. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. That’s how this game is. There are highs and sometimes lows. Everything is good.”
Third-ranked Alcaraz defeated Sinner for the sixth time in 10 meetings. Since losing to Sinner in the semifinals at Beijing 2023, Alcaraz has won their last three meetings: in Indian Wells, the Roland Garros semifinals and in Beijing.
Sincaraz Chapter 10: Completed ✅
There is a lot of respect between these two 👏@carlosalcaraz | @janniksin | @ChinaOpen | #China Open pic.twitter.com/KtS8Ar0yEE
– ATP Tour (@atptour) October 2, 2024
The leadoff hitter had hit 18 of the last 19 goals before Alcaraz flipped the script for the final stretch.
“When Jannik and I face each other, we play each other, I think it’s a really good thing in tennis because we always show an intense game, a really close game, good points, big rallies,” said Alcaraz. “I think that for people who don’t watch tennis, maybe because of this kind of games they start watching tennis or practicing. I think it’s very good.
“I’m trying to enjoy as much as possible playing with him, but it’s not easy. I’m very happy. I mean, if you can beat the best tennis player, if not the best in the world. , it’s obvious that you’re doing the right things, you’re doing the right job.”
Reigning US Open and Australian Open champion Sinner said this quality final was a reminder that there is still work to be done.
“I feel like it’s always good when we get together, no? We try to push ourselves to the end,” Sinner said. “For me, he is the point of where I work. Even today I saw a few things where I need to improve. He is not the only one, there are other players too.
“It’s always nice to share the court with him. I feel like all the fans, they love it. Usually the games are very long, physical, there are many changing points. Yes, like I said, it’s always nice. I feel privileged and honored to share the court with him.”
