BEIJING/STARNBERG, October 2, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz maintained his unbeaten record against rival Jannik Sinner this year with a thrilling victory in the China Open final on Wednesday. The 21-year-old Spaniard battled to a 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3) win over the World No. 1 in an intense three-hour, 21-minute contest, the longest match in the tournament’s history.

Despite surrendering a break lead in both the first and third sets, Alcaraz rallied in the final-set tiebreak, winning seven consecutive points from 0/3 down to claim the ATP 500 title in Beijing.

WHAT A MOMENT @carlosalcaraz #ChinaOpen https://t.co/DwGP3ultlX pic.twitter.com/7LrmZ6q8Fy

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 2, 2024

“He could [have won] in two, I could win in two, he could win in three. It was a really close match,” said Alcaraz, who now leads Sinner 6-4 in the pair’s head-to-head series.

“The whole week I’ve been playing great tennis… I feel great on court, I feel great off the court as well with my team,” said Alcaraz. “It’s really important to feel like you are in a good mood all the time off the court, just try to show good tennis and be calm on the court. I couldn’t ask for a better week here in Beijing and I will try to keep going.”

Next up for both players will be Shanghai Rolex Masters, continuing the battle for the ATP Year-End No. 1.

Sinner & Alcaraz travelling together to Shanghai after their Beijing final

vagnozzis via IG pic.twitter.com/NPFqKAGgw1

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 2, 2024