Jannik Sinner looks forward to a tough battle against Alex de Minaur in the semifinal of the China Open

Jannik Sinner leads Alex de Minaur 10-0 in their head-to-head record on tour.

Jannik Sinner looks forward to a tough battle against Alex de Minaur in the semifinal of the China Open

Jannik Sinner, Alex de Minaur (Images via X)

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Jannik Sinner will face Alex de Minaur for the eleventh time on the tour in the semi-finals of the China Open. The Italian star clinched his place in the last four of the tournament after overcoming Fabian Marozsan in the quarter-finals. He has now reached the semi-finals of the China Open in three consecutive years.

Sinner didn’t need to employ much force or aggression in the first set against Hungarian star Marozsan in the quarter-finals. The World No.2 just breezed past his opponent 6-1, breaking him thrice. But in the second set, Marozsan showed a flash of his brilliance, breaking the Italian star once to lead 5-4.

But Sinner composed himself, winning three consecutive games, fighting back to win 6-1, 7-5, and securing his place in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, De Minaur, who’s the third seed in Beijing, was leading Miami Open champion Jakub Mensik 4-1 in the first set before the 20-year-old was forced to retire from the match due to injury.

Sinner will enter the semi-finals clash against De Minaur with a 10-0 lead in their head-to-head clash. The Italian star is second in the ATP Live Race To Turin and has already qualified for the season-ending tournament. But De Minaur is currently 7th in the Race To Turin and will need to reach the final of the China Open to cement his place.

Ahead of Sinner’s clash with De Minaur, he was asked if his unbeaten record against the Australian star would continue at the China Open. The Wimbledon champion was quick to point out that his record would not be an advantage. He added that it will be an intense clash between him and De Minaur on the court:

It’s just another challenge. He will surely make a few changes. I have to be prepared for that. Here, the court with used balls is quite different from other conditions. So let’s see how this ends. I am looking forward to it; it will be fantastic. Without a doubt, it will be different from other matches, as I always say, because anything can happen.

At the China Open, Sinner is seeking his first title since winning the Wimbledon Championship in July. The Italian star has won just two Grand Slams this season, the same as his arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz. But has won five tournaments fewer than the Spaniard, who is currently in the final of the Tokyo Open.

Jannik Sinner satisfied with his quarter-finals performance against Fabian Marozsan

World No.1 Jannik Sinner has dropped only one set at the China Open this season. That came against Frenchman Terrence Atmane in the second round, where he lost the second set before winning the third to claim the victory. The same event was on the verge of happening against Fabian Marozsan before he produced a sensational rally, winning three consecutive games.

Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)

During the aforementioned press conference, Sinner revealed that he was happy with his win over the Hungarian star in the quarter-finals. He added that it was a tough match, but he was happy he started well:

It was a good match. He raised his level significantly. Then he missed a couple of easy shots, which gave me the chance to close the match in two sets. But it was a very tough match. I think I started very well. Also, I played well in the second set, but he was playing at a very high level, so I’m very pleased with today’s victory.

Sinner finished as the China Open runner-up last year after losing the final to Carlos Alcaraz. But this season, Alcaraz is competing at the Tokyo Open, which now gives Sinner a chance to win the title. Should he beat Alex de Minaur in the semi-finals, he will face Daniil Medvedev or Learner Tien.