Alcaraz comes back to beat Sinner in thriller final

BEIJING: Carlos Alcaraz beat Jannik Sinner in three sets after losing the first to win the China Open in what was a thrilling back and forth affair.

The thrilling final saw Sinner mount a comeback to take the first set, but it would be Alcaraz who would lift the trophy at the end of the match.

FIRST SET

It was a dominant start for the Spaniard who got a break in the third game of the first set after Sinner sent a backhand well wide of the sideline. It would be five games to three for Alcaraz as both players continued to win their respective service games.  

Alcaraz was close to closing out the set before Sinner got his first break of the match. A powerful forehand placed the ball right on the baseline, and a slow reaction from Alcaraz sent the ball into the net.

Alcaraz beats Medvedev, heads to finals

They would both win their next service games, leading to a score of six games to five in favor of Alcaraz. He found himself on the verge of another break to seal the set, but a well-placed volley close to the net left the world number three unable to win the set point.

The world number one would end up winning the game, forcing a tie break. After an ace and a powerful forehand from Sinner, which Alcaraz failed to return, the score was 6 to 6 in the tie break. Sinner would win the tiebreak 8 to 6, closing out the set, following a backhand from the Spaniard that landed beyond the baseline.

SECOND SET

It was a tightly contested second set, with everything even eight games in. It was in the ninth that Alcaraz would finally get another break. Sinner attempted to place his shot on the baseline, but ended up sending it a little long. The world number three would close out the next game in 4 straight points, forcing a third set.

THIRD SET

Sinner was on the back foot on his second service game of the next set, chasing Alcaraz’s powerful shots left and right, until he failed to get the ball over the net, losing the game.

Alcaraz through to semi-finals, will face Medvedev

The Italian would get a break back in the seventh game. Sinner’s forehand would clip the top of the net, disrupting Alcaraz’s momentum, causing the Spaniard to put more power on his forehand than necessary. The ball landed beyond the baseline and the set was all tied up at four games a piece.  

Another tiebreak was forced after both players won their next two service games. Sinner would take an early lead, was Alcaraz who came put on top, winning six points in a row following some riveting and electrifyiung rallys.

Both players were covering the entire court in breakneck speed. However, Alcaraz was just a little faster and a little more but it powerful, forcing Sinner to just be a little behind.