By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Photo credit: Lintao Zhang/Getty
Shotmaking fireworks erupt when world No. 1 Jannik Sinner meets world's most exciting player Carlos Alcaraz.
Down 0-3 in the final-set tiebreaker, Alcaraz roared through seven straight points out-dueling Sinner 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3) in a thrilling Beijing final.
More: WADA Appeals Sinner's Doping Case, Seeks Ban for World No. 1
Reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon winner Alcaraz snapped Sinner's 15-match winning streak and 9-0 mark in Beijing dethroning the defending champion in a riveting final Sinner called one of the Top 5 matches of his career.
"For sure it's in the top three, top five [matches I've played]," Sinner said. "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.
"But yeah, I'm always happy to make new experiences, trying to grow. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. That's how this sport is. There are very highs and sometimes there are lows. It's all good."
The third-ranked Alcaraz defeated Sinner for the sixth time in 10 meetings. Since losing to Sinner in the 2023 Beijing semifinals, Alcaraz has won their last three meetings: in Indian Wells, the Roland Garros semifinals and Beijing.
The top-seeded Sinner had won 18 of his last 19 tiebreakers before Alcaraz flipped the script in rallying through the final-set breaker.
"When Jannik and I face each other, playing against each other, I think it's a really good thing for tennis because we always show a really intense match, really close match, great points, great rallies," Alcaraz said. "I think for the people who don't watch tennis, probably thanks to these kind of matches start to watch tennis or even practice it. I think it is pretty good.
"I try to enjoy as much as I can playing against him, but it's not easy. I'm really happy. I mean, when you're able to beat one of the best, if not the best, tennis player in the world, obviously it seems like you're doing the right things, you're doing the right work."
Reigning US Open and Australian Open champion Sinner said this quality final is a reminder there's still work to be done.
"I feel like it's always great when we meet, no? We try to push ourself and each other to the limits," Sinner said. "He for me is a point of where I work. Also today I saw couple things where I need to get better. It's not only him, there are also other players.
"It's always nice to share the court with him. I feel like also the fans, they like it. Usually the matches are quite long, they're physical, there are many turning points. Yeah, as I said, it's always nice. Feel privileged and honored to share the court with him."