BEIJING - Carlos Alcaraz rallied from a set down and held his nerve in a deciding tiebreak to beat defending champion Jannik Sinner 6-7 (6-8), 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) in the China Open final on Oct 2 and win his fourth title of the season.
French Open and Wimbledon champion Alcaraz, who won both of his previous meetings with Sinner in 2024, recovered from a slow start to wrap up victory in 3hr 21min, improving his head-to-head record with the Italian to 6-4.
While the stage might not have been as grand as it was in some of their recent encounters, Sinner and Alcaraz pushed each other to the limit in the latest chapter of the burgeoning rivalry that has taken the ATP Tour by storm.
"He could have won in two, I could have won in two, it was a really close match," the 21-year-old Alcaraz said after winning his 16th title.
"Jannik once again showed that he's the best player in the world, with the level that he's playing.
"It is unbelievable, it's a really high quality of tennis, physically, mentally, he's a beast.
Esta historia es de la edición October 03, 2024 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición October 03, 2024 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Padel gives ex-tennis player a second chance
Enzo Chua never expected to return to competitive sports after a lower back injury at 16 scuppered the former national junior tennis player's dreams of turning professional.
Adeyemi hat-trick helps sour Celtic's 'acid test'
DORTMUND – A first-half hat-trick by Borussia Dortmund's Karim Adeyemi helped the German side to a 7-1 hammering of a \"spooked\" Celtic side in the Champions League on Oct 1, with five goals in the opening 42 minutes.
UNITED MUST KEEP THE BELIEF: TEN HAG
Dutchman confident underwhelming team will sort out their form ahead of Porto test
KFA breached hiring rules, says sports ministry
SEOUL - The Korea Football Association (KFA) broke its own hiring rules while recruiting national team coach Hong Myung-bo and former coach Jurgen Klinsmann, South Korea's sports ministry said on Oct 2.
IOC official's Russia comments outrage Ukraine
KYIV - Ukraine on Oct 1 blasted a top International Olympic Committee (IOC) figure for suggesting Russia could be quickly readmitted to the organization if it starts obeying the rules.
ALCARAZ THE WINNER AGAINST SINNER AGAIN
He takes China Open title and maintains unbeaten run against world No. 1 in 2024
SBA'S $70K BOOST FOR L.A. 2028
Move follows players' Paris showing and to spur them to qualify for next Olympics
Bucks to get 'true Dame' toughened up by boot camp
A few days past the one-year anniversary of Damian Lillard being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, the eight-time All-Star checked in for the start of his 13th season.
MAKIN DO WITH WHATEVER COMES
Burridge still hopeful with trio's Gold Cup chances even after flag-bearer draws widest
WIDE DRAW MARS GUTSY HORSE'S DREAM RUN
From operating table to Gold Cup, Big Union faces one last challenge