Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz's ATP China Open clash first final meeting since Umag 2022

Jannik Sinner is just one match away from retaining his China Open crown.

Carlos Alcaraz defeated Daniil Medvedev, 7-5, 6-3, for the third time in 2024 to become the first finalist at the ATP China Open 2024. The Spaniard is now in his fifth tour-level final of the season and the first at Beijing. Sinner joined him three hours later after ending the dream run of Yunchaokete Bu 6-3, 7-6(3) to go up 6-0 in finals this season. Alcaraz won six finals in 2023, out of which five were consecutive.

The last time these two met in a final was in Umag in 2022, with Jannik Sinner taking the win in three sets, 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-1.

The Italian’s maiden Grand Slam win in Melbourne set the ball rolling and fittingly is bookended by the US Open – his sixth final of the season. A win in the final, and the Italian will join Novak Djokovic to have won his first seven finals in a season.

In the 2011 season, Djokovic reached seven consecutive finals, winning them all, beginning with Melbourne and ending with Rome. The now-retired Roger Federer upended Djokovic and Sinner by winning his first seven Grand Slam finals in a row between 2003 and 2006. 

Since a disappointing exit at the US Open in the second round to Botic van de Zandschulp, Alcaraz remains unbeaten across the Davis Cup, Laver Cup and the China Open. The 21-year-old is gunning for his first title since Wimbledon in July. Alcaraz also claimed the Indian Wells Masters and Roland Garros titles this season. 

Also Read: Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner head-to-head record 

Sinner has ATP 1000 level wins in Cincinnati and Miami among his haul of six titles in 2024. Further, a successful title defence will make him the third man after Djokovic and Rafael Nadal with multiple wins in Beijing. The Serb won six times at the venue between 2009 and 2015.

Sinner and Alcaraz head into the final with their head-to-head at 4-5 in the Spaniard’s favour. Alcaraz has defeated Sinner in both of their meetings in 2024. The duo has been trading wins for losses every two turns, going back to the beginning of their rivalry in 2019 at the Challenger level. 

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