Jannik Sinner ranks the China Open final against Carlos Alcaraz among the top 3 matches in his career
Carlos Alcaraz came back from a set down to defeat Jannik Sinner in the China Open final, ending the Italian's 15-match win streak.
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz (via CNN/talkSport)
Jannik Sinner succumbed to a third consecutive defeat to Carlos Alcaraz at the China Open final. Despite the loss, the Italian has admitted that he ranks the thrilling three-set tie against Alcaraz amongst the top 3 or top 5 in his career.
Sinner was hoping to defend the China Open title and claim his seventh singles title of the season. He arrived in Beijing without a loss in two tournaments. He had triumphed in two hard-court tournaments, including the US Open, but struggled in his two opening matches only finding his rhythm in the quarterfinals.
The 23-year-old was on a 15-match winning streak heading into the final. He had met Alcaraz twice this year, including the five-set thrilling semifinal match at the French Open. However, the Beijing final was totally different from the previous. Sinner claimed the first set win rallying from 2-5 down. Alcaraz went on to claim the second set forcing it into a decider.
Despite Sinner leading for the majority of the third set, Alcaraz found a way to defeat him 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3) to claim the victory. During Sinner’s press conference, the Italian admitted that tie ranks among his top 3 or 5 in his career.
Difficult to say. I feel like every match you play or important match you play, you live a different moment. It’s also very tough to give you the ranking. For sure it’s in the top three, top five. 7-6 in the third in a final, it’s always tough. I had some great matches in the past, even if I’m still young as a player.
Jannik Sinner said via China Open press
Sinner will take the positives from the match into the Rolex Shanghai Masters. The Italian will not strengthen his lead as World No.1 but will remain in the position, with Alcaraz in No.2.
Carlos Alcaraz praises his fighting spirit in his victory over Jannik Sinner
Carlos Alcaraz revealed that he never lost hope during his win over Jannik Sinner in the China Open. The Spaniard let slip a break lead in both the first and third sets but reeled off to victory in the deciding set tie-break.
Sinner had won 18 of his past 19 of his deciding-set tie-break, but Alcaraz produced something special in the third set to win the match. The Spaniard admitted that during the tie-break he was determined to give everything on the court.
I never lost hope. Honestly I knew that [when I started it] that every tie-break Jannik plays is almost to his side. I thought that in the third set, I’m not going to lie, 3-love down, two mini breaks for him. So I didn’t lose hope, but I thought, ‘Okay, I have to give everything that I have just to try to give myself the opportunity to be close.
Carlos Alcaraz said after his win via ATP
Alcaraz’s victory over Sinner earned him his 16th career title and fourth of the season. The Spaniard also became the first player to win the ATP 500 event on three different surfaces.
Victor Okechukwu
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