By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, October 2, 2024Photo credit score: Lintao Zhang/Getty
Shotmaking fireworks erupt when world No. 1 Jannik Sinner meets world’s most fun participant Carlos Alcaraz.
Down 0-3 within the final-set tiebreaker, Alcaraz roared via seven straight factors out-dueling Sinner 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3) in an exhilarating Beijing ultimate.
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Reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon winner Alcaraz snapped Sinner’s 15-match successful 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 prime three, prime 5 [matches I’ve played],” Sinner mentioned. “7-6 within the third in a ultimate, it is at all times robust. I had some nice matches previously, even when I am nonetheless younger as a participant.
“However yeah, I am at all times blissful to make new experiences, attempting to develop. Typically you win and typically you lose. That is how this sport is. There are very highs and typically 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 received their final three conferences: in Indian Wells, the Roland Garros semifinals and Beijing.
Chapter 10 of Sincaraz: accomplished ✅
Massive respect between these two 👏@carlosalcaraz | @janniksin | @ChinaOpen | #ChinaOpen pic.twitter.com/KtS8Ar0yEE
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 2, 2024
The highest-seeded Sinner had received 18 of his final 19 tiebreakers earlier than Alcaraz flipped the script in rallying via the final-set breaker.
“When Jannik and I face one another, taking part in 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 mentioned. “I believe for the individuals who do not watch tennis, in all probability thanks to those sort of matches begin to watch tennis and even apply it. I believe it’s fairly good.
“I attempt to take pleasure in as a lot as I can taking part in in opposition to him, however it’s not simple. I am actually blissful. I imply, whenever you’re in a position to beat the most effective, if not the most effective, tennis participant on the earth, clearly it looks like you are doing the fitting issues, you are doing the fitting work.”
Reigning US Open and Australian Open champion Sinner mentioned this high quality ultimate is a reminder there’s nonetheless work to be performed.
“I really feel prefer it’s at all times nice once we meet, no? We attempt to push ourself and one another to the bounds,” Sinner mentioned. “He for me is some extent of the place I work. Additionally at the moment I noticed couple issues the place I must 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. Normally the matches are fairly lengthy, they’re bodily, there are various turning factors. Yeah, as I mentioned, it is at all times good. Really feel privileged and honored to share the court docket with him.”
