Carlos Alcaraz roars back in tie-break decider to edge Jannik Sinner in thriller and claim China Open crown

World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz got the better of Jannik Sinner in an extraordinary China Open final in Beijing. The Spaniard took the title in three sets, 6-7(6) 6-4 7-6(3) at the Diamond Stadium in the Chinese capital. Both men produced some exquisite shots throughout, with break points galore going awry and deuces to last a lifetime in an encounter that went three hours and 20 minutes.

Sinner to face Alcaraz in China Open final after seeing off Bu

Video credit: SNTV

Carlos Alcaraz won a match for the ages as he beat Jannik Sinner in an enthralling China Open final, roaring back in the final set tie-break to claim the title.

The Spaniard appeared to be staring down defeat when trailing 3-0 in the decisive breaker, only to hit an inspired purple patch after changing his shoes and reeling off seven straight points to triumph 6-7(6) 6-4 7-6(3).

"It was a really close match. Jannik showed once again that he is the best player in the world," said Alcaraz afterwards.

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"At least for me, the level that he is playing is unbelievable. It’s a high quality of tennis. Physically and mentally, he is a beast."

Both players began the match throwing caution to the wind, each facing break points before Alcaraz seized the initiative with the first break to go up 3-1.

Serving for the set at 5-3, Sinner pegged him back and used the pendulum swing to force a tie-break, which he won with a late flourish.

That wasn't before Alcaraz had the first set points of the match - the first coming at 6-5 - before two more in the tie-break.

Sinner saved them all, snatching back the Spaniard's mini-break advantage immediately to propel himself ahead.

The top two seeds traded service breaks at the beginning of the second set, before an unbelievable marathon game at 4-3 with Alcaraz on serve.

There were eight deuces, with Alcaraz saving three break points to hold, before the Spaniard powered on to break Sinner to 30, and then hastily holding to love to level the match at one set apiece.

It seemed as though the momentum was with Alcaraz, the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion, as he broke Sinner at 2-1, but the Italian raised his level to haul him in at 4-4 as the crowd prepared for a second, and decisive, tie-break.

It started magnificently for Sinner, who steamed into a 3-0 lead with two mini-breaks. But some scintillating tennis from Alcaraz - and a change of footwear - brought him back into contention. He completed a memorable turnaround with a crushing forehand that Sinner could not get back.

"I never lose hope, but I knew about that stat, that every tie-break that Jannik plays, is almost [always in his favour]," said Alcaraz.

"I thought that in the third set, I’m not going to lie - 3-0 down, two mini-breaks for him. I didn’t lose hope, but I thought, ‘OK, I have to give everything. I have to try to give myself the best opportunity to get close’.

"I played great points to make 3-3, and after that, I [had] to go for it. If I lose it, at least I went for it. That’s all I thought in that moment."

Sinner acknowledged Alcaraz's "amazing job", with the Spaniard now 8-1 in his record against the top five players in the world this year - his only defeat coming against Novak Djokovic in the final of the Paris 2024 Olympics.

"Carlos and your team, you are doing an amazing job. Hopefully, we can still play a couple more times in the future, which I am quite sure. It’s a big pleasure to share the court with you.

"The work never stops. I’m very happy to be in this position. Today we fell short, but it was a great battle again, but in a couple of days there is a new opportunity."

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