A Milestone Victory in a Marathon Match
Carlos Alcaraz continued his dominance over Jannik Sinner with a thrilling victory in the China Open final on Wednesday. The 21-year-old Spaniard clinched the title after a grueling 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3) win in a marathon match lasting three hours and 21 minutes—the longest in tournament history.
Despite losing a break lead in both the first and third sets, Alcaraz powered through, winning seven consecutive points in the deciding tie-break to secure the win. This victory improves Alcaraz’s record to 6-4 in their head-to-head series and marks his third straight win over Sinner this season.
Alcaraz’s ability to stay composed under pressure was pivotal, especially when trailing 0-3 in the final set tie-break. “I never lost hope,” Alcaraz shared, highlighting his resilience. With this win, he achieved a significant milestone by claiming his first ATP 500 title on all three surfaces—hard, clay, and grass—making history in the process.
Sinner, who had won 18 of his last 19 tie-breaks, was aiming to defend his Beijing crown but fell short despite a commendable performance. The Italian remains one of the most formidable players in the ATP circuit, and his rivalry with Alcaraz continues to captivate fans worldwide.
Rivalry Set to Continue at the Rolex Shanghai Masters
The two rivals are now set to face off again at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, adding another chapter to their intense head-to-head series. Both players bring unique strengths to the court, ensuring that their upcoming clash will be closely watched by tennis enthusiasts globally.
With this win, Alcaraz narrows the gap in the race for the ATP Year-End No. 1 ranking, although he still trails Sinner by 2,820 points. The victory underscores Alcaraz’s growing maturity and consistency, positioning him as a serious contender in the battle for the top spot.
Carlos Alcaraz’s triumph at the China Open highlights not only his technical prowess but also his mental fortitude under pressure. As he prepares for the Rolex Shanghai Masters, the young Spaniard aims to build on this historic win and further challenge Jannik Sinner’s supremacy in the ATP rankings.
