Carlos Alcaraz made a remarkable comeback to defeat defending champion Jannik Sinner 6-7(6) 6-4 7-6(3) in the China Open final on Wednesday, securing his fourth title of the season. The French Open and Wimbledon champion, who had previously beaten Sinner in both their encounters this year, displayed resilience by turning the match around after losing the first set. The thrilling contest lasted three hours and 21 minutes, enhancing Alcaraz’s head-to-head record against Sinner to 6-4.
Despite the less grand setting compared to their previous matchups, the two players pushed each other to their limits, further igniting their rising rivalry in the ATP Tour. Alcaraz, 21, acknowledged Sinner’s caliber, stating, “He could have won in two, I could have won in two, it was a really close match. Jannik once again showed that he’s the best player in the world, with the level that he’s playing.”
Alcaraz praised the high quality of tennis exhibited by both players throughout the match, highlighting his pride in how he managed the pressure. After a cautious start, Alcaraz established an early break for a 3-1 lead in the second set, which he maintained after a challenging game against Sinner, who eventually leveled the match at one set each.
In a crucial moment during the third set, Alcaraz lost a bit of concentration, allowing Sinner to come back and tie the score at 4-4. However, in the deciding tiebreak, Sinner initially gained control with a 3-0 lead. Alcaraz rallied back, demonstrating his determination and skill, ultimately sealing the victory with a powerful cross-court forehand winner.
This win prevented Sinner, the Australian Open and U.S. Open champion, from becoming the first man to defend his title at the China National Tennis Centre since Novak Djokovic’s four consecutive victories from 2012 to 2015.