Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner battled to the wire in the ATP 500 Beijing final. The Spaniard prevailed 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 in three hours and 21 minutes, dethroning world no. 1 and claiming his first ATP trophy since Wimbledon. The world's best players produced an incredible level of tennis, pushing each other to the limits and giving tennis fans something to cheer about.
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Carlos trailed 3-0 in the deciding tie break before stepping in, imposing all-or-nothing shots and firing six winners in the final seven points, lifting the trophy in style. The Spaniard did not want to lose another tie break like in the opening set, climbing back after winning two entertaining points and taking charge.
Alcaraz liked his approach in the pivotal moments, outplaying Sinner and emerging at the top, beating the Italian for the sixth time in their ten encounters. Carlos stood two points away from the exit door in the second set.
He kept his composure and attacked, delivering his best tennis in the pivotal moments and lifting the fourth title of the season.
Jannik had his chance to defend the title and extend his ATP 500 streak.
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He defended three set points in the opening set and had break chances at 4-3 in the second. The Spaniard stayed composed despite losing the advantage in the decider, climbing back from 0-3 in the tie break and sealing the deal in style.
The younger player claimed 12 points more than his rival and made the difference with his first serve. Alcaraz saved four of six break points and worked hard on the return en route to 15 break opportunities after stealing 40% of the return points.
Sinner denied 12, extending his chances and failing to reach the top first. Carlos displayed his aggressive approach by hitting 55 winners and 52 unforced errors, outshadowing the rival's 30-31 ratio. Also, world no. 3 attacked the net, winning almost 20 points after moving forward, many in the crucial moments.
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Carlos Alcaraz explained his victory over Jannik Sinner in Beijing.
The younger player stepped in and built the advantage in the shortest exchanges up to four strokes, earning the win in that segment after nothing separated them in the more advanced ones.
Alcaraz wasted three break points in the third game of the match and defended a break chance in the next one for 2-1. The Spaniard landed a volley winner in the fourth game for a break chance and converted it after the Italian's backhand error, forging a 3-1 advantage.
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Carlos produced a hold at love in game seven for 5-2 before Jannik launched his comeback with a push on the return un game nine. World no. 1 earned a break chance with a return winner and converted it after forcing the rival's mistake, extending the set with a last-minute break.
The defending champion felt the pressure while serving to stay in the set at 5-6, offering his opponent a set point after a double fault. Sinner erased it with a volley winner and closed the game to arrange a tie break.
After passing his rival at the net at 5-4, Alcaraz created two set points, and world no.
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1 denied them to prolong the drama. The Italian rattled off four points, wrapping up the opener after 70 minutes after the Spaniard's error. World no. 3 earned two break points at 3-3 in the second set after a return winner. The defending champion denied them and held, remaining on the positive side and making a push in the next game that could have moved him closer to the finish line.
Carlos endured two break points and numerous deuces, bringing the game home and locking the result at 4-4. Alcaraz made a push on the return in the next one and earned two break chances after Sinner's backhand error. The Italian sprayed a forehand mistake on the second, falling 5-4 behind and allowing his rival to serve for the set.
The Spaniard held at love with an unreturned serve, introducing a decider after two hours and eight minutes.
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The younger player used that boost and built the advantage in the first part of the final set, missing an opportunity for a double break.
Alcaraz seized the third break point in the third game with a forced error and held at 15 a few minutes later for 3-1. The four-time Major winner earned two more break points in game five, eager to seal the deal. Unwilling to surrender, Jannik saved them and held, remaining in touch.
World no. 3 delivered a comfortable hold in game six, opening a 4-2 gap and controlling the scoreboard. The world's best player stepped in on the return in the eighth game and welcomed the rival's mistakes to pull the break back and level the score at 4-4, increasing the drama.
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Carlos served to stay in the match at 4-5 and stood two points from the exit door. He maintained his focus and held after a deuce, extending the battle and earning a break chance at 5-5.
Sinner saved it with a service winner and secured a tie break.
The Italian made a strong start and grabbed two mini-breaks for 3-0. With nothing to lose, Alcaraz increased his pace and went for all-or-nothing shots. He landed two volley winners and locked the result at 3-3 with a powerful serve.
The Spaniard moved in front with another volley winner and painted a direct point from his forehand for a 5-3 lead. Carlos created three match points and seized the first with a cracking forehand winner, dethroning Jannik and clinching his first title after Wimbledon.
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"It was a very close match right until the end. I was aware of Jannik's tie break streak, and I found myself 3-0 down. I did not want to lose another tie break, but it was not easy to climb back. The fourth and fifth point were tight, and I only wanted to keep going and stay focused on the next point. Winning or losing, I was eager to go for my shots, and it worked for me," Carlos Alcaraz said.
