Carlos Alcaraz took the final seven points in row to win a thrilling deciding tiebreak and beat young rival Jannik Sinner, claiming the China Open title while snapping the World No 1’s 15-match winning streak.
Alcaraz improved his head-to-head with Sinner to 6-4 with his third victory against the Italian in a row, coming from behind to win 6-7(6) 6-4 7-6(3) in three hours and 21 minutes in a blockuster Beijing final.
Alcaraz, himself with an eight-match win streak coming into the final, made the better start and served for the first set at 5-3. But Sinner dug in and broke the Spaniard to stay alive. Sinner saved three set points, including two in the tiebreak, as he upped his level.
Sinner and Alcaraz saved break points midway through the second set - Alcaraz doing so during an epic 15-minute game, which proved crucial as he levelled at a one-set all. Incredible defence from Alcaraz saw the 21-year-old force the decider.
And the momentum continued into the third set as Alcaraz found the early breakthrough. Sinner resisted the double-break and Alcaraz failed to serve it out as the Italian broke back and forced a match tiebreak.
Alcaraz was 3-0 down in the tiebreak, with Sinner about to serve, before the Spaniard produced a stunning fightback fuelled by attacking tennis to win the next seven points and claim his fourth title of the season and his first since Wimbledon.
Follow live updates and the latest score from Beijing as Alcaraz and Sinner meet in the final of the China Open
Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner: Latest China Open updates
- Carlos Alcaraz beats Jannik Sinner to win epic China Open final
- Alcaraz wins thrilling final tiebreak to end Sinner’s 15-match win streak
- THIRD SET! Alcaraz wins final seven points in a row to win tiebreak from 0-3 down
- SECOND SET! Alcaraz levels after winning key 15-minute game to force decider
- FIRST SET! Sinner battles back and saves three set points before winning tiebreak
- Alcaraz now leads head-to-head 6-4 against World No 1 Sinner
Carlos Alcaraz snaps Jannik Sinner’s winning streak in thriller to secure China Open title
14:35
Jamie Braidwood
Carlos Alcaraz ended Jannik Sinner’s winning run to take the China Open title in Beijing after another pulsating encounter between the two young stars.
Sinner went into the final on a 15-match winning streak after lifting his second grand slam trophy of the season at the US Open, but it was Alcaraz who came out on top 6-7 (6) 6-4 7-6 (3) after three hours and 21 minutes.
The Spaniard now has a 6-4 lead over his big rival in their head-to-head after thumping 55 winners and playing a stunning final tie-break.
Alcaraz moves up to World No 2 and closes gap on Sinner
14:22
Jamie Braidwood
With his victory in the China Open final, Carlos Alcaraz moves above Alexander Zverev in the world rankings and closes the gap to Jannik Sinner in the 2024 points race.
Sinner, with six titles this year, still has a healthy lead but Alcaraz could close the gap further at the ATP 1000 tournament in Shanghai - which unbelievably begins today.
Then it’s the ATP 1000 in Paris at the end of the month, before the ATP Finals in Turin in mid-November. So there are plenty of points to play for.
Carlos Alcaraz improves incredible top-5 record
14:14
Jamie Braidwood
Alcaraz has now won eight of his nine matches this year against players ranked in the world’s top-5. His only defeat came against Novak Djokovic in the Olympics final, but he’s beaten Sinner three times, Daniil Medvedev twice, Alexander Zverev in the French Open final and Djokovic in the Wimbledon final.
Carlos Alcaraz speaks after winning China Open: ‘I have the joy again'
14:01
Jamie Braidwood
“Thank you. I would like to start with Jannik - what I can say about the year you are having, it’s unbelievable. You deserve it with the work you do with your team. You work hard and you are humble and you are getting success. I would like to congratulate you and your team for the work you do but more importantly you are a great person. I respect you a lot as a player but more as a person.
“Then my family, my team - I’m really lucky. They support me every day and tell me the things I don’t want to hear! I want to thank you. The last two months have been a difficult moment but all the hard work we’ve been doing, playing great tennis and having a good time on the court I was able to have the joy again. It’s all thanks to you, for this week especially.”
Jannik Sinner speaks after defeat to Carlos Alcaraz: ‘We just fell short'
13:57
Jamie Braidwood
“First of all, I would like to start with Carlos. Keep going, you have a great team behind you and a great family. I wish you only the best. Hopefully we’ll play a couple of more times in the future, I’m quite sure [we will]. It’s a big pleasure to share the court with you - so thank you so much.
“Of course thank you to my team and my box and everyone who supports me. The work never stops. I’m happy to be in this position but we fell short. It was a great battle again and in a couple of days there is another opportunity. Thank you for the support.”
Carlos Alcaraz wins fourth title of 2024
13:54
Jamie Braidwood
It had been a tough couple of months for Alcaraz, with his emotional defeat to Novak Djokovic in the Olympics final and shock exit in the second round of the US Open.
But the 21-year-old has now claimed his fourth title of the year in China after wins at Indians Wells, the French Open and Wimbledon. In three of those titles, he has beaten Sinner.
He’s also closed the gap to Sinner and the World No 1 ranking. Could he claim it over the final weeks of the season?
Carlos Alcaraz extends winning streak against Jannik Sinner
13:49
Jamie Braidwood
Alcaraz has now won three matches against Sinner in a row, improving their head-to-head to 6-4. It’s also the third time in a row that Alcaraz has beaten Sinner from a set down.
Since losing in the US Open second round, Alcaraz now has nine wins in a row across Davis Cup, Laver Cup and now the China Open.
This was Sinner’s first defeat in 16 matches. He had been unbeaten since August.
Moment of the match: Alcaraz wins stunning point in tiebreak
13:47
Jamie Braidwood
Alcaraz and Sinner did it again, producing tennis from another dimension - including this unbelievable point in the tiebreak.
Down 3-1 in the tiebreak, Alcaraz had to win it. He did. It was one of seven points he won in a row to win the title.
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Carlos Alcaraz wins the China Open!
13:44
Jamie Braidwood
Our champion, Carlos Alcaraz, speaking to Sky Sports post-match:
“He could win in two. I could win in two. He could win in three. It was a really close match. Jannik showed once again he showed he’s the best player in the world at least for me with the level that he’s playing.
“It is unbelievable. He’s the best. It was high-quality. I had my chances in the first set but didn’t make it, but I’m proud of the way I built the match, the way that I managed everything.
“I never lost hope but I had to give everything. I played great points to make it 3-3 and then decided to go for it.”
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 7-6 Jannik Sinner
13:33
Jamie Braidwood
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Carlos Alcaraz wins the China Open!
Amazing. Just amazing. Alcaraz was 2-0 down when he went to change his shoes in the tiebreak. Then 3-0 down with Sinner about to serve twice. From there, he won the next seven points, while playing some of his best tennis of the match after three hours and 20 minutes.
What a final, and what a rivalry these two have. So many twists, turns, and brilliant points. Alcaraz a deserved winner but he had to fight all the way.
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 6-6 Jannik Sinner - TIEBREAK!
13:29
Jamie Braidwood
Alcaraz is transformed! He returns to the net and is all over Sinner, putting the volley past him. 4-3 to Alcaraz.
Now a thundering forehand winner from Alcaraz! That flew past Sinner before he knew it. Alcaraz unloads on the forehand and finds the line!
FIVE points in a row! 5-3. The pressure gets to Sinner and he pushes long on the forehand! SIX in a row for Alcaraz!
AND THREE CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS! ANOTHER FOREHAND WINNER FROM ALCARAZ AND HE’S WON A THRILLER IN BEIJING!
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 6-6 Jannik Sinner - TIEBREAK!
13:29
Jamie Braidwood
POINT! Alcaraz had to win that, and stays alive as Sinner reaches his drop shot but Alcaraz fflicks the winner into opener court.
WHAT POINT! POINT OF THE MATCH! THESE TWO!!! Alcaraz gets the break back, but how?? It’s amazing from both, Sinner and Alcaraz stretching the court. So many outstanding recoveries, but Alcaraz is there to flick the final passing shot at the net!
ACE! Three points in a row from Alcaraz! 3-3!
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 6-6 Jannik Sinner - TIEBREAK!
13:23
Jamie Braidwood
Reminder that Sinner is now 22-6 in tiebreaks this year. Alcaraz is 14-11.
And Sinner gets off to a strong start, with a first serve and thumping smash. DROP SHOT from Sinner! Unreal! It beats Alcaraz! Such a lovely disguise!
2-0 to Sinner! And now Alcaraz needs to change his shoes! His shoe-lace is broken!
Not for the first time, Alcaraz’s second serve is hesitant. Sinner attacks, and moves 3-0 in front with two serves to come!
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 6-6 Jannik Sinner - TIEBREAK!
13:21
Jamie Braidwood
Alcaraz with a confident start as he swats away the winner and then lands a first serve down the middle to get to 30-0.
Sinner finds a lovely direction on the backhand but makes a return error on the next point. 40-15, as Alcaraz finds a brilliant serve, forehand, and smash.
A match tiebreak to decide the final? On we go. Brilliant drama.
*Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 5-6 Jannik Sinner
13:15
Jamie Braidwood
Wow. Sinner finds a massive serve down the middle and forehand strike for a winner. Alcaraz’s return pops up for another forehand attack, but Sinner pushes wide!
Back to deuce. Sinner finds the first serve, but Alcaraz’s return is stunning! Sinner comes into the net but can’t pick up Alcaraz’s huge forehand return!
Break point. But Alcaraz nets on the backhand! The Italian’s serve has just gone up a level. What a game this is.
Sinner escapes. Alcaraz pushes the sliced backhand long and then nets, after Sinner stayed solid on the baseline.
He moves 6-5 ahead. The pressure goes back on Alcaraz’s shoulders.
*Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 5-5 Jannik Sinner
13:10
Jamie Braidwood
Alcaraz and Sinner at 5-5 in the deciding set of a final? Yes please.
Hands from Alcaraz on the opening point of Sinner’s serve! The Italian found the net-cord, but Alcaraz adjusted and popped away the volley.
SHOT! Alcaraz with a running forehand winner crosscourt, after Sinner left the gap! 0-30 to the Spaniard.
But Alcaraz will give you chances. He lets Sinner off the hook for now with two forehand misses. Live by the sword, die by the sword and all that.
30-30. POINT! Brilliant exchange at the net as Sinner goes for the drop shot and Alcaraz reaches it. Sinner pops the volley over Alcaraz’s head.
40-30. Sinner thinks he’s found the short forehand winner, but it just drifts out! A huge deuce coming up as we tick over the three-hour mark!
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 5-5 Jannik Sinner*
13:07
Jamie Braidwood
A nervy point from Alcaraz as a miss brings up 15-30, putting Sinner two points away from the title.
POINT! Alcaraz survives! Sinner had the chance to make the pass on the forehand, but Alcaraz stretches to make the volley! 30-30.
Oof. Now Alcaraz catches the line with a backhand crosscourt! That was bold. 40-30, Alcaraz with the chance as he meets the volley, but he nets!
Incredible. Deuce. Alcaraz continues to attack. What a response. Volley. Serve. Two points in a row and he holds to bring us to 5-5!
*Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 4-5 Jannik Sinner
13:00
Jamie Braidwood
Remarkable. Now it’s Sinner with the momentum and energy in the rallies. The Italian leaps to put away a smash to get to 30-0.
Alcaraz responds with a lovely drop shot, that Sinner nudges down the line but just out. Another twist: double fault from Sinner! 30-30!
SINNER! The World No 1 holds as he races to reach a net-cord, and flick the backhand down the line.
Three games in a row - now he leads!
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 4-4 Jannik Sinner* - Sinner breaks!
12:56
Jamie Braidwood
Now then! Sinner leans into the backhand and finds a sweet strike down the line to get to 0-30.
Alcaraz then pushes long on the forehand! A bad miss, and it brings up three break points for Sinner!
Alcaraz with good aggressive play on the forhand to save the first, but he’s in a hole here.
Sinner clips the net-cord... and it lands in! Alcaraz steadies, but blasts wide!
Sinner, from nowhere, breaks back! 4-4! That was a bad, bad game from Alcaraz.
*Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 4-3 Jannik Sinner
12:53
Jamie Braidwood
Sinner gets the hold as Alcaraz takes a wild swing on a second serve. Alcaraz looked like a player there who knows he’s just two holds away and can have a go against serve.
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 4-2 Jannik Sinner*
12:49
Jamie Braidwood
Sinner does not look happy with himself on the opening point as he misses on the backhand. Alcaraz takes full advantage, with a couple of big forehand blows landing to see him through to 40-15.
An ACE from Alcaraz earns the Spaniard a hold. Two games needed, but are we set for any more twists and turns?
*Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 3-2 Jannik Sinner
12:42
Jamie Braidwood
How about this level from Alcaraz?! Sinner may have dipped, but Alcaraz is on the charge. He blasts the return to bring up two break points and the chance for the double break.
Sinner is in trouble and knows it. He saves the first with an ace out wide, then the second as Alcaraz nets on the backhand.
This is a must-hold game. Drop shot into the net from Alcaraz! But Alcaraz then steps in and directs the backhand return up the line for a winner.
Sinner stops the run. Alcaraz pushes wide on the backhand, and Sinner knows he’s escaped with that .
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 3-1 Jannik Sinner*
12:38
Jamie Braidwood
Sinner is not looking as comfortable now. The Italian limps a drop shot into the net and then Alcaraz steps in to power a forehand winner, moving to 40-0. Sinner returns into the net as Alcaraz consolidates the break.
Make that six of the last seven games since Alcaraz trailed 3-4 in the second.
*Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 2-1 Jannik Sinner - Alcaraz breaks!
12:32
Jamie Braidwood
Alcaraz launches into a huge forehand winner, and then dials up the pressure on Sinner on the defensive side! Alcaraz makes the sprints from side to side look so effortless, and he forces Sinner into the miss.
Two break points for Alcaraz. Sinner saves the first, in style, with an Alcaraz-style inside out drop shot, then putting away the volley.
Can he save the second too? Wild return from Alcaraz! He went big on that, but comes up short. Alcaraz corrects humself on deuce, finding the baseline.
And on the third break point, Alcaraz takes his chance! He ramps up the power on the forehand and finds a sweet strike, that Sinner can’t return. He takes the early breakthrough, and has now won five of the last six games.
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 1-1 Jannik Sinner*
12:25
Jamie Braidwood
The intensity of the rallies really went up a level midway through the second set. Let’s hope it continues into the decider, which could easily hit the three-hour mark
Sinner serves first and jumps out to 40-0 to get us going. Alcaraz finds a lovely disguised drop shot. Alcaraz then goes long on the backhand.
The 21-year-old then knocks out a quick hold of serve to love, much like the start of the second set so far.
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 Jannik Sinner - Alcaraz wins second set!
12:20
Jamie Braidwood
POINT! This is so good from Alcaraz and Sinner, but it’s the Spaniard in charge! He wins a brilliant, side-to-side exchange before directing the forehand winner.
ACE! Three set points for Alcaraz! He was broken serving for the first set, and is looking to avoid a repeat of that here.
Sinner nets. Alcaraz levels! An epic fightback from two break points down at 4-3. Two hours and seven minutes in, we’re heading for a decider!
*Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 5-4 Jannik Sinner - Alcaraz breaks!
12:14
Jamie Braidwood
How key was that last game? This could tell us. Alcaraz immediately jumps into a 0-30 lead on the Sinner serve, and attacks the second serve but nets!
POINT! Defence from Alcaraz! He stays alive and retrieves a smash from Sinner, putting up a lob that stays in, before Sinner nets!
Two break points. Sinner, incredibly, saves another. But he can’t save both! Alcaraz breaks as Sinner fires wide on the forehand!
What a turnaround! Alcaraz will serve for the second set.
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 4-4 Jannik Sinner*
12:06
Jamie Braidwood
POINT! Stunning from Sinner to pick up a running forehand from Alcaraz that scorched the baseline, before turning it around and firing the forehand winner.
What a game this is, but Alcaraz works his way back to game point as he closes the net. Alcaraz turns to serve and volley but misses with Sinner beaten!
Still Alcaraz can’t get over the line, as he misses on the forehand. This is a 13-minute game already, and looks absolutely crucial.
Awesome from Alcaraz - another brilliantly constructed point, putting away the volley on the slide - but he again can’t take game point.
ACE from Alcaraz! Surely this time? YES! Another ace! Alcaraz holds his arms to the sky. He holds an epic 15-minute, eight-deuce game, saving two break points in the process.
*Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 3-4 Jannik Sinner
12:01
Jamie Braidwood
A circus-style backhand lob from Alcaraz, who then somehow wins the backhand exchange after Sinner came into the net.
Solid serve out wide from Alcaraz, it gives him 40-15.
But from nowhere, Sinner gets back to deuce. Consecutive backhand errors from Alcaraz, when he had the chance to get the hold, brings the Italian back into it.
Sinner looks away in frustration after a backhand drifts out, with Alcaraz scrambling. Alcaraz comes into the net, but Sinner finds the lob! Brilliant dip! On we go.
Error from Alcaraz and now break point for Sinner! What a turnaround in this game. ACE from Alcaraz! Just his second of the match and he needed it.
Long from Alcaraz on deuce, as another error costs him. Second break point for Sinner. But he can’t find the return!
*Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 3-4 Jannik Sinner
11:52
Jamie Braidwood
Oh that’s awesome from Alcaraz. First he finds the backhand pass down the line. Then he fakes a drop shot to push a backhand attack onto the baseline.
15-30, and Alcaraz attacks the Sinner second serve! Another backhand winner down the line, taken early, and it gives Alcaraz two break points.
Sinner saves the first with a one-two strike, landing the forehand winner crosscourt. And Sinner saves the second too! A big second serve, as Alcaraz then pushes the backhand wide.
Stunning hold again from Sinner. He is looking so hard to beat right now, and is capable of just finding his level with it counts. He defies Alcaraz again.
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 3-3 Jannik Sinner*
11:45
Jamie Braidwood
A little look here for Sinner as he fires a forehand into Alcaraz’s feet and the Spaniard returns into the net: it’s 15-30 for Sinner against serve.
Sinner would like a couple of these balls back as Alcaraz grinds his way back to 40-30, with the Italian missing rally balls.
But Sinner then reads Alcaraz at the net, and produces the backhand pass! Onto deuce we go, and still a chance for Sinner here.
Great direction from Alcaraz. He holds behind two wonderfully constructed points, putting away the volley to hold and get back to 3-3.
That’s more like it.
*Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 2-3 Jannik Sinner
11:43
Jamie Braidwood
Consecutive love-holds for Alcaraz and then Sinner, who marches confidently back to his seat. One thing to watch out for: Alcaraz has come from behind to beat Sinner in both of their meetings in 2024.
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 2-2 Jannik Sinner*
11:36
Jamie Braidwood
There’s a crisp forehand winner from Sinner as he holds again at the start of set two. It’s been an assured start.
Alcaraz matches it. After a long first set and high-quality tiebreak, it feels as if both Alcaraz and Sinner are catching their breath.
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 1-1 Jannik Sinner*
11:32
Jamie Braidwood
Alcaraz did not serve well at all at 5-3 in the first set or in the tiebreak. He jumps out to 40-0 here, though.
But Sinner is reading his opponent right now, and chases down the Alcaraz drop shot.
The 21-year-old is relieved to see Sinner fire long on the forehand.
*Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 0-1 Jannik Sinner
11:26
Jamie Braidwood
Sinner gets to serve at the start of this set, too. The Italian has meanwhile improved his 2024 tiebreak record to 22-6.
More please. The level in the tiebreak was very high, as Alcaraz became a little flustered by Sinner’s resistance.
Sinner opens up his forehand and holds at the start of the second set. It will be Alcaraz facing scoreboard pressure in set two.
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 Jannik Sinner- Sinner wins FIRST SET!
11:21
Jamie Braidwood
Wild from Alcaraz! The ball sat up for the forehand strike but the Spaniard pushes long! Sinner with set point now, and on serve!
Long from Alcaraz! Sinner escapes and somehow wins the set at his first opportunity! Relentless from Sinner, and so steely!
The World No 1 leads the China Open final, after a 70-minute first set.
Alcaraz led 5-2, and then had three set points, including two in the tiebreak. But Sinner stood firm. He did not lead the set until the very end.
Carlos Alcaraz 6-6 Jannik Sinner - TIEBREAK!
11:16
Jamie Braidwood
A rare error, and a chance now for Alcaraz as Sinner slumps a forehand into the net from the baseline. 4-3 Alcaraz with two serves to come.
What defence from Sinner! Incredible. Looked a certain point for Alcaraz, but he digs out the backhand. Alcaraz nets from down low! 4-4.
Sinner nets on the forehand from wide. 5-4 Alcaraz with Sinner to serve next.
Magic from Alcaraz! Sinner can’t find the corner with the forehand and Alcaraz takes aim on the backhand. he cracks one crosscourt. 6-4 and two set points.
ACE from Sinner. Another set point to come, with Alcaraz to serve. Sinner reads the Alcaraz serve and lands a brilliant return inside the baseline!
It’s 6-6 and Sinner has now saved three set points! We go on!
Carlos Alcaraz 6-6 Jannik Sinner - TIEBREAK!
11:12
Jamie Braidwood
Sinner finds his best level of the match so far and forces Alcaraz into his very best defence to run from side to side. It’s not good enough, as Sinner swats the winner. A big serve out wide and Sinner leads 2-1 Sinner.
Amazing from Alcaraz! Under high pressure he turns to the inside-out dropshot on the forehand. Sublime. A second brilliant point from Alcaraz in a row. He puts away the drop-volley, with lovely side-spin. 3-2 Alcaraz.
Sinner with a huge one-two punch. Quality tennis from both in this tiebreak. 3-3.
Carlos Alcaraz 6-6 Jannik Sinner - TIEBREAK!
11:11
Jamie Braidwood
Sinner’s tiebreak record this year: 21-6
Alcaraz’s tiebreak record this year: 14-10
Carlos Alcaraz 6-6 Jannik Sinner - TIEBREAK!
11:07
Jamie Braidwood
Woah! A big miss from Sinner at the net in the opening point of the 12th game. The Italian swipes at the ball in frustration.
Alcaraz pushes long on the forehand and misses by a big margin. But a double-fault from Sinner means Alcaraz is now just two points away...
Alcaraz looks up to the sky as his backhand drifts long, a second miss on a routine shot from the Spaniard in this game.
30-30. Would you believe it! A second double fault from Sinner! It brings up a set point for Alcaraz.
Sinner saves! Lovely hands at the net from the Italian, and Alcaraz can’t reach it before the second bounce.
Deuce... Sinner finds two first serves and survives to make it to the tie-break, swatting away the forehand winner.
Carlos Alcaraz 6-5 Jannik Sinner*
11:04
Jamie Braidwood
Alcaraz smothers the net and stops the run at three games, putting away a couple of volleys on his way to getting a hold.
Are we heading for a tie-break? Sinner’s record this year is very good (21-6), and I reckon Alcaraz’s isn’t too bad either.
*Carlos Alcaraz 5-5 Jannik Sinner
11:01
Jamie Braidwood
That was crazy from Sinner. He came alive when he needed to and produced a much better level in the rallies, even if Alcaraz’s first serve went missing on the key points.
He still needs to hold here. Alcaraz had a look at the Sinner serve on 0-15 but clipped the net-cord with the backhand. Another miss from Alcaraz on the backhand.
Alcaraz attacked the Sinner backhand on game point but the Italian is reading his opponent better now. Alcaraz pushes wide.
Three games in a row for Sinner and we’re level again.
Carlos Alcaraz 5-4 Jannik Sinner* - Sinner breaks!
10:53
Jamie Braidwood
Solid from Sinner on the baseline. This time Alcaraz is forced ito the miss as he pushes wide on the backhand.
But the response is superb - Alcaraz firing from the hip and he unloads on the inside-out forehand winner.
A lovely wide serve chops up Sinner, and the Italian clings on as he return clips the line.
Sinner makes the most of it and produces a lovely angle on the forehand winner. 30-30.
Return winner from Sinner! Alcaraz’s second serve sat up, and he attacked on the forehand crosscourt.
Break point: Sinner locks in and finds amazing depth to the baseline. Alcaraz nets!
Sinner breaks back and stays alive in the set!
*Carlos Alcaraz 5-3 Jannik Sinner
10:51
Jamie Braidwood
Sinner finds some serving and his first ace. A fortunate net-cord helps him to the hold and forces Alcaraz to serve it out with 40 minutes on the match clock.
Sinner takes the hold with a forehand winner - he needs more of that with Alcaraz taking such an aggressive approach.
Carlos Alcaraz 5-2 Jannik Sinner*
10:47
Jamie Braidwood
Alcaraz attacks the net on the opening point and then continues to target the Sinner backhand. The Italian actually read this one, but fired wide on the forehand.
And Alcaraz continues to move closer to the set. A brilliant point, but Alcaraz defends superbly and Sinner is forced into another messy error.
He’d done enough to win the point but Alcaraz moved so well across the baseline. He holds to love and moves a game away.
*Carlos Alcaraz 4-2 Jannik Sinner
10:41
Jamie Braidwood
Alcaraz makes a wonderful start, rushing into the net after landing a lovely volley inside the baseline on the opening point. He’s all over Sinner right now.
How Sinner needed a hold. He survives another Alcaraz attack by finding a clever backhand before Alcaraz pushes long on the forehand.
Then, a rare first serve pushes Alcaraz wide onto his backhand. The Spaniard nets.
Carlos Alcaraz 4-1 Jannik Sinner*
10:38
Jamie Braidwood
A confident hold from Alcaraz, as he turns to his drop shot on the opening point to catch Sinner out. The Italian then pushes wide on the backhand and is unable to take advantage of an improvised return.
Another baseline exchange does Alcaraz’s way. He consolidates the break.
*Carlos Alcaraz 3-1 Jannik Sinner - Alcaraz breaks!
10:35
Jamie Braidwood
A double fault from Sinner on 15-15 hands an opening to Alcaraz and the Spaniard attacks to step into the net and put away the volley to get a look at break point for the second game in a row.
And he takes it! Alcaraz attacked with the forehand, but it’s the backhand to Sinner’s that earns him the breakthrough. Brilliant striking from Alcaraz and Sinner is forced into the miss.
Carlos Alcaraz 2-1 Jannik Sinner*
10:27
Jamie Braidwood
Sinner asks the question of Alcaraz after getting to 15-30 and then the Spaniard gets a little loose coming in for the volley. It lands out and Sinner gets his first look at break point.
Alcaraz maintains his aggressive approach break point down and Sinner nets on the forehand. Another deuce game.
Brilliant! Sinner took charge from the baseline as he found an angle on the forehand. He sends Alcaraz running wide on the backhand, but he delivers the winner down the line.
Alcaraz steps in on the forehand - another winner! Great save from Alcaraz.
*Carlos Alcaraz 1-1 Jannik Sinner
10:23
Jamie Braidwood
Sinner gets to game point but Alcaraz eats up the second serve and launches himself into the forehand. Sinner defends at first but then drifts the forehand long.
Alcaraz nets on the return, but then Sinner gets his hold. Alcaraz looked to attack the net but Sinner stood firm and thumps the forehand winner after reading his opponent.
That was a classic Alcaraz-Sinner exchange. Nice hold from Sinner from 0-40 down.
Carlos Alcaraz 1-0 Jannik Sinner*
10:17
Jamie Braidwood
Awesome ball-striking from both on the opening point of the Sinner service game, but Alcaraz comes out on top as he sends Sinner the wrong way.
Alcaraz then steps in behind the forehand and cracks the winner inside the line. An early chance for the 21-year-old at 0-30.
Sinner comes into the net but leaves a gap for Alcaraz to find and he sends a third consecutive winner to bring up three break points.
A chance for Alcaraz - but the pick-up volley drifts out. Alcaraz then goes long, so two break points saved from Sinner.
HUGE serve. That’s three break points saved from the Italian. Onto deuce we go.
Carlos Alcaraz 1-0 Jannik Sinner*
10:12
Jamie Braidwood
A wicked backand return down the from Sinner on the opening point, he goes the same way on 15-15 and Alcaraz cracks his backhand into the net.
15-30. But Alcaraz ramps up the forehand on the first pressure point and gets his reward as Sinner is pushed back.
Good serving from Alcaraz and another big forehand blast as the Spaniard holds to start this China Open final.
*Carlos Alcaraz 0-0 Jannik Sinner
10:09
Jamie Braidwood
The Diamond Court in Beijing is a lovely, circular bowl, like a bullfighting ring. And it’s completely full for this morning’s blockbuster final. Alcaraz will serve to get us started.
“Denotes next server
Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner: And here they come!
10:03
Jamie Braidwood
We’re almost ready to go in Beijijng! Alcaraz leads Sinner out onto the court for what is their second ATP Tour final. It’s a treat for tennis fans at the China Open.
Alcaraz is already jumping around the court in his sleeveless vest, while Sinner walks out in his hoodie before shaking hands at the net with his young rival.
We’ll have a quick knock-up and then begin. Sinner wins the toss and elects to receive.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner: Head to heads
10:02
Jamie Braidwood
There are usually fireworks when Alcaraz and Sinner meet and they’ve played some classic matches already.
The US Open quarter-final was record-breaking as the latest finish in New York, while the Miami Open semi-final last year produced the ATP’s point of the year.
2024: Roland Garros, semi-final, outdoor clay - Alcaraz wins in five sets
2024: Indian Wells, semi-final, outdoor hard - Alcaraz wins in three sets
2023: China Open, semi-final, outdoor hard - Sinner wins in two sets
2023: Miami Open, semi-final, outdoor hard - Sinner wins in three sets
2023: Indian Wells, semi-final, outdoor hard - Alcaraz wins in two sets
2022: US Open, quarter-final, outdoor hard - Alcaraz wins in five sets
2022: Umag, final, outdoor clay - Sinner wins in three sets
2022: Wimbledon, round of 16, grass - Sinner wins in four sets
2021: Paris Masters, round of 32, indoor hard - Alcaraz wins in two sets
Elsewhere in men’s tennis: Arthur Fils wins dramatic Japan Open final
09:57
Jamie Braidwood
There was a brilliant final at the Japan Open yesterday, where 20-year-old Arthur Fils defeated French compatriot Ugo Humbert 5-7 7-6 (6) 6-3 to win his third ATP Tour title.
Fils received treatment to his left ankle and was in deep trouble at 0-40 down in the eighth game of the second set but he recovered, saved a match point in the tie-break and went on to clinch victory.
It capped a stunning week for the youngster, ranked 24, who beat Taylor Fritz, Matteo Berrettini, Ben Shelton and Holger Rune on his way to the final.
What a run.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner: Hot streaks!
09:55
Jamie Braidwood
Jannik Sinner has not lost since his defeat to Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals of Montreal on 11 August - although Sinner struggled with a hip injury after having to play two matches in one day.
Since then, Sinner has won Cincinnati and the US Open and has carried his form into Beijing. The Italian has won 15 matches in a row.
Carlos Alcaraz was on the wrong end of one of the biggest shocks in US Open history when he lost to Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round of the US Open.
The Spaniard was fatigued having won the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back, before reaching the Olympic final at Roland Garros.
Since New York, Alcaraz has returned to form: over the Davis Cup, Laver Cup and now China Open, Alcaraz has won eight matches in a row and looked back to his best against Daniil Medvedev.
Interestingly, Alcaraz ended Sinner’s 19-match winning run from the Australian Open when he beat him in the Indian Wells semi-finals earlier this season.
Jannik Sinner looks forward to Carlos Alcaraz battle in China Open final
09:45
Jamie Braidwood
Jannik Sinner, speaking after his victory over Bu Yunchaokete to set up a China Open
