Carlos Alcaraz staged an impressive comeback to defeat Jannik Sinner in a thrilling China Open final, overturning a one-set deficit to claim victory. The Spaniard’s win was especially sweet, as it avenged his loss to Sinner in last year’s Beijing semi-finals.
In that 2022 encounter, Sinner had the upper hand, cruising past Alcaraz in straight sets. This time, however, the match was a gripping three-hour contest, showcasing both players’ resilience and skill. Alcaraz ultimately came out on top, while Sinner faced the double blow of defeat and a possible injury, as he appeared to struggle with his right knee, particularly in the first set.
Heading into Wednesday’s final, Sinner was in excellent form, having recently won the Cincinnati Masters and the US Open. His strong performances made him the favorite. But it was Alcaraz who made the stronger start, immediately putting Sinner under pressure. Sinner faced three break points in his opening service game, and though he managed to hold, Alcaraz soon broke through and raced to a 4-1 lead.
Sinner appeared to be on the ropes during a lopsided first hour, but his tenacity paid off. Alcaraz faltered as Sinner, down 5-3, produced two powerful forehands to break back. The Italian then pushed the set to a tiebreak, which he won, swinging the momentum in his favor.
The second set unfolded more evenly, with both players holding serve until 4-4. Then, after a marathon game that went to deuce eight times, Alcaraz seized the opportunity. He broke Sinner’s serve and followed it up by serving out the set 6-4, leveling the match.
With the contest finely poised, the final set delivered the intensity and drama the crowd had anticipated. Alcaraz maintained his focus, while Sinner’s earlier knee discomfort seemed to worsen, affecting his movement. Capitalizing on this, Alcaraz broke again and held his nerve to close out the match.
This win not only marked a significant achievement for Alcaraz but also showcased his growing maturity as a player. For Sinner, it was a tough defeat, compounded by concerns over his knee. Nonetheless, both players demonstrated why they are considered two of the brightest stars in tennis today, delivering a final that will be remembered for its intensity and high-quality play.