Carlos Alcaraz Wins Fourth Title of 2024 in a Beijing Thriller. He added another chapter to his rivalry with Jannik Sinner, securing a hard-fought victory in the China Open final after three hours and 21 minutes of intense tennis. The match, the longest in tournament history, showcased the high level of competition between the two young stars.
A Rivalry That Keeps Fans on the Edge of Their Seats
The clash between Alcaraz and Sinner has become one of tennis’s most exciting matchups. In this latest encounter, both players exchanged momentum repeatedly, delivering a spectacle that kept fans gripped throughout. Alcaraz suggested that matches like this one are what make tennis so engaging and even have the potential to attract new fans to the sport.
According to Alcaraz, he and Sinner always manage to deliver high-quality, close contests with dramatic points and rallies, which he feels is "great for tennis." He believes that this intense style of play could inspire people who don’t typically watch the sport to start following it or even pick up a racquet themselves.
A Dominant Year for Alcaraz
By winning his fourth title of the year, Alcaraz continued his unbeaten run against Sinner in 2024, following previous victories in Indian Wells and at Roland Garros. This latest win gives Alcaraz a 6-4 lead in their head-to-head record, further cementing his status as one of the top players on tour.
Alcaraz reflected on the challenge of facing Sinner, expressing how proud he was to have come out on top. He acknowledged the difficulty of playing against someone of Sinner’s caliber, explaining that beating one of the world’s best players is a validation of the hard work he has put in. He also emphasized that these victories are especially rewarding given the physical and mental effort he’s invested over the past month.
“I’ve worked incredibly hard both physically and on my game,” Alcaraz noted, adding that finishing this stretch of the season with a title in Beijing was an incredible way to cap off his efforts.
A Battle of Skills and Endurance
The final, which Alcaraz won 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3), had everything fans love about both players: powerful baseline exchanges, extraordinary shot-making, and lightning-fast court coverage. Alcaraz had opportunities in the first set but couldn’t capitalize, eventually losing it. However, he managed to reset mentally and pushed through to claim the second set, then came out on top in the decisive third-set tie-break.
Alcaraz admitted that the match could have gone either way, with both players having chances to win in straight sets. He remarked that the ability to stay mentally strong after missing his chances in the first set was crucial to his eventual victory. He credited his resilience and focus, saying he managed to clear his mind and just focus on playing good tennis after that initial disappointment.
Both Alcaraz and Sinner displayed their remarkable skills throughout, pushing each other to the limit until the final ball. In the end, Alcaraz was able to come back from a 3-0 deficit in the third-set tie-break, winning seven consecutive points to secure the title.
A Mental and Physical Challenge
In the closing moments of the match, Alcaraz found himself trailing in the tie-break after Sinner had taken control, winning the first three points. However, Alcaraz was able to remain calm under pressure, focusing only on the next point. His mentality was simple—if he missed, he missed, but he wanted to ensure that he gave it his all on every point. This mindset paid off as he mounted a stunning comeback to claim the title.
Alcaraz’s ability to stay focused and aggressive even when behind speaks to the mental toughness that has characterized his season so far.
Alcaraz’s Historic ATP 500 Achievement
With this victory, Alcaraz became the first player to win ATP 500 titles on all three surfaces—hard, clay, and grass—since the series began in 2009. His performance in Beijing also extended his win streak to eight matches, a reassuring rebound after his early exit at the US Open.
The Beijing title also marked Alcaraz’s 200th tour-level win, propelling him to second in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin. He shared that the victory felt particularly special as he was able to lift the trophy in front of his team and part of his family, a moment that was deeply emotional for everyone involved.
Alcaraz mentioned how his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, became emotional during the trophy presentation, as it had been a challenging couple of months for them both on and off the court. He explained how difficult things had been after the American swing, where he had lost motivation and didn’t even feel like picking up a racquet for a while. But after having honest conversations with his team, he regained his focus and began working hard again, both mentally and physically.
According to Alcaraz, the past month has been one of intense effort, but moments like these make it all worth it.
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