The 2024 China Open is poised for an exciting finale after Jannik Sinner overcame Chinese wildcard Yunchaokete Bu to earn a highly anticipated matchup with the No. 2 seed Carlos Alcaraz. Italy’s Sinner defeated Bu 6-3, 7(7)-6(3) in his semi-final match, demonstrating his steady play leading up to the championship match. Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz advanced to his fifth 2024 final after defeating Russian Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-3 in his semi-final match. Sinner and Spaniard Alcaraz will battle in today’s (October 2) summit clash at Diamond Court.
US Open champion Sinner was playing in the biggest match of his life against a player he had never encountered before in front of an enthusiastic crowd on China’s national day. The 22-year-old Bu also played at his best after making it to the semi-finals in Hangzhou last week. Early in the first set, Bu put pressure on Sinner’s serve, but Sinner repelled the attack, and the storm eventually passed as the game progressed.
After playing hard for over two hours, Sinner converted his third match point with an ace to send the match to a tiebreak. Sinner held his nerve and exhibited a strong performance to win the tiebreaker. The 23-year-old Italian, who failed two doping tests in March but was found not guilty and permitted to continue playing, has won more matches than anybody else on the circuit this season.
Tennis authorities accepted Sinner’s account that a physiotherapist who treated a cut with a spray containing an illegal steroid accidentally put traces of the drug into his system, which he subsequently used for massage and sports therapy.
Following his triumph, Sinner reflected on the forthcoming final, noting the task that Alcaraz brings. He stated that given both players’ impressive seasons and rising stature in the sport, the match will probably be a close battle. Two of tennis’s rising talents are anticipated to square off in an exciting final.
It’s going to be a tough match. We know each other very well now, but every match is different, so the situation on the court is also a bit different than it was in the last two matches. But let’s see, Sinner told Sky Sports. My season is going very, very well, and playing finals is always a great moment. I just hope tomorrow is going to be a good match for both of us, the Italian added.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz is in ominous form, yet to drop a set in the tournament. I think I played well. Obviously, if I want to beat Daniil, I have to play really good tennis—high-quality tennis. I felt great on the court once again, so I’m really happy about it. I think I couldn’t ask for a better semi-final, said Alcaraz, who is chasing a 16th ATP Tour title, which would equal Sinner.
After sharing all four Grand Slam titles between them in 2024, Alcaraz and Sinner have emerged as the frontrunners of the next generation in men’s tennis. Alcaraz won the French Open and Wimbledon, while Sinner won the Australian Open and US Open. Their supremacy has solidified their position at the top of the standings, and Sinner is now on track to end the year as the World No. 1 player.
Alcaraz will enter the ATP 500 championship match with a 5-4 advantage in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series. However, anything can happen as the two young star players are meeting in Beijing for the second year in a row. Excitement is the only thing that is guaranteed. Both guys are on long winning streaks going into this match. Sinner has triumphed in 15 straight matches, while Alcaraz has won 8 in a row.
