Carlos Alcaraz dug deep to defeat Jannik Sinner in an exhilarating China Open remaining on Wednesday, extending his career head-to-head record towards the Italian to 6-4 and an ideal 3-0 in 2024.
Alcaraz blew a 5-2 lead within the first set and located himself in huge bother within the third set tiebreaker when Sinner raced away with a 3-0 lead. That was when the Spaniard produced seven consecutive factors to prevail in an exhilarating three-hour, 21-minute match, the longest in China Open historical past.
The win gave Alcaraz his fourth ATP Tour title of 2024 and sixteenth of his profession. After his victory, the common-or-garden Alcaraz referred to as Sinner “the most effective participant on the planet” and mentioned it is all the time a privilege to lock horns along with his modern, whom he additionally defeated at Roland Garros and Indian Wells this 12 months.
“Jannik confirmed as soon as once more that he’s the most effective participant on the planet,” Alcaraz mentioned, via EuroSport. “No less than for me, the extent that he’s enjoying is unbelievable. It is a top quality of tennis. Bodily and mentally, he’s a beast.”
Going into the deciding set, the World No. 1 Sinner had misplaced only one of his last 19 tiebreakers. Alcaraz knew he had his again to the wall when he went down 3-0 within the remaining set tiebreaker.
“I by no means lose hope, however I knew about that stat, that each tie-break that Jannik performs, is nearly [always in his favor],” Alcaraz mentioned. “I assumed that within the third set, I am not going to lie – 3-0 down, two mini-breaks for him. I did not lose hope, however I assumed, ‘OK, I’ve to present all the things I’ve to attempt to give myself the most effective alternative to get shut.'”
Amongst these seven consecutive factors, Alcaraz nailed some groundstrokes that left onlookers in awe. In a kind of rallies, the Spaniard confirmed his vastly enhancing contact across the internet.
Wednesday’s match was one other reminder of why the Alcaraz versus Sinner rivalry will stay a headliner on the Tour for the foreseeable future. The 2 younger stars might scintillate crowds once more in per week on the Shanghai Masters and the year-ending ATP Finals.
