By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Picture credit score: Lintao Zhang/Getty
Shotmaking fireworks erupt when world No. 1 Jannik Sinner meets world’s most enjoyable participant Carlos Alcaraz.
Down 0-3 within the final-set tiebreaker, Alcaraz roared by way of seven straight factors out-dueling Sinner 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3) in an exciting Beijing ultimate.
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Reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon winner Alcaraz snapped Sinner’s 15-match profitable streak and 9-0 mark in Beijing dethroning the defending champion in a riveting ultimate Sinner known as one of many High 5 matches of his profession.
“For positive it is within the high three, high 5 [matches I’ve played],” Sinner stated. “7-6 within the third in a ultimate, it is at all times powerful. I had some nice matches prior to now, even when I am nonetheless younger as a participant.
“However yeah, I am at all times joyful to make new experiences, making an attempt to develop. Generally you win and generally you lose. That is how this sport is. There are very highs and generally there are lows. It is all good.”
The third-ranked Alcaraz defeated Sinner for the sixth time in 10 conferences. Since shedding to Sinner within the 2023 Beijing semifinals, Alcaraz has gained their final three conferences: in Indian Wells, the Roland Garros semifinals and Beijing.
Chapter 10 of Sincaraz: accomplished ✅
Huge respect between these two 👏@carlosalcaraz | @janniksin | @ChinaOpen | #ChinaOpen pic.twitter.com/KtS8Ar0yEE
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 2, 2024
The highest-seeded Sinner had gained 18 of his final 19 tiebreakers earlier than Alcaraz flipped the script in rallying by way of the final-set breaker.
“When Jannik and I face one another, enjoying in opposition to one another, I believe it is a actually good factor for tennis as a result of we at all times present a very intense match, actually shut match, nice factors, nice rallies,” Alcaraz stated. “I believe for the individuals who do not watch tennis, most likely thanks to those form of matches begin to watch tennis and even observe it. I believe it’s fairly good.
“I attempt to take pleasure in as a lot as I can enjoying in opposition to him, nevertheless it’s not straightforward. I am actually joyful. I imply, once you’re capable of beat top-of-the-line, if not the perfect, tennis participant on the planet, clearly it looks as if you are doing the proper issues, you are doing the proper work.”
Reigning US Open and Australian Open champion Sinner stated this high quality ultimate is a reminder there’s nonetheless work to be executed.
“I really feel prefer it’s at all times nice after we meet, no? We attempt to push ourself and one another to the boundaries,” Sinner stated. “He for me is a degree of the place I work. Additionally at this time I noticed couple issues the place I have to get higher. It isn’t solely him, there are additionally different gamers.
“It is at all times good to share the court docket with him. I really feel like additionally the followers, they prefer it. Often the matches are fairly lengthy, they’re bodily, there are various turning factors. Yeah, as I stated, it is at all times good. Really feel privileged and honored to share the court docket with him.”