Carlos Alcaraz triumphed over top-ranked Jannik Sinner with a score of 6-7 (6), 6-4, 7-6 (3) in a thrilling final at the China Open on Wednesday. This victory marks Alcaraz’s third win against Sinner this year, adding to their previous encounters at Indian Wells and the French Open.
Alcaraz praised Sinner’s skills, stating, “He could have won in two, I could win in two, he could win in three. It was a really close match.” He acknowledged Sinner as “the best player in the world,” highlighting the high quality of tennis produced by both players.
With this win, Alcaraz not only stopped Sinner’s 15-match winning streak but also prevented him from clinching a third consecutive title after victories in Cincinnati and at the U.S. Open.
Sinner, the defending champion in Beijing, had to regain focus after the World Anti-Doping Agency announced an appeal regarding his previous clearance in connection with two positive steroid tests.
The match was a rollercoaster, with Alcaraz initially leading 5-2 in the first set and later letting a 4-2 lead slip in the third. Notably, after falling behind 3-0 in the decisive tiebreaker, Alcaraz changed his shoes and stormed back to win the match with a remarkable seven-point streak.
Alcaraz recorded 55 winners compared to Sinner’s 30 but also had 52 unforced errors, reflecting their differing styles of play. The contest, held in cool conditions, extended over 3 hours and 21 minutes, making it the longest in the tournament’s history since 2004.
Both players have shared four Grand Slam titles this year, with Sinner claiming the Australian Open and the U.S. Open, and Alcaraz winning the French Open and Wimbledon.
Now with a record of 6-4 against Sinner, Alcaraz expressed deep respect for his rival, stating during the trophy presentation, “I respect you a lot as a player but even more as a person.” Sinner reciprocated the sentiment, noting the pleasure of competing with Alcaraz.
Sinner is facing potential restrictions from the WADA, which is appealing for a one to two-year ban following two positive tests for an anabolic steroid in March. Despite being cleared by an independent tribunal, the case remains unresolved as Sinner prepares to defend his title at the Australian Open in January.
Sinner expressed gratitude for his support team following his loss, optimistic about future competitions. “Today we fell short but it was a great battle again, and in a couple of days, there’s again a new opportunity,” he stated, looking forward to his next match in Shanghai.