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 24 minutes.
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).
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.
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.
