"It was a very difficult match today. I’m very happy” - Jannik Sinner delighted to reach another China Open final after defeating Alex de Minaur

Jannik Sinner confirmed a third consecutive China Open final, after he managed to defeat the world eight Alex de Minaur 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. He is set to face Daniil Medvedev or Learner Tien as he looks to reclaim the title he last won in 2023.

This is the Italian's first competition after painfully losing the US Open finale to his arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz. However, with the new world number one competing in Tokyo, Sinner travelled to Beijing as the overwhelming favourite, and he has backed that up with some exceptional and dominant displays. En route to the semis, he defeated Marin Cilic, Terence Atmane, and Fabian Marozsan. His toughest test was yet to come, with de Minaur a very tricky player to come up against.

Sinner was the first to take advantage, after breaking to love to head into a 4-2 lead. He then survived two break points in the next game, before going on to wrap the set up on his serve. The second set was very on edge, with the pair of them squandering numerous opportunities to break. It was Sinner first to make it 3-1, failing to take two break points that he earned. De Minaur would then miss three chances to break, with Sinner going on to miss another two in the next game. The Aussie found himself 0-40 up to make it 5-4, but it would not be until a couple of games later where he would finally break the stubborn Italian's serve, wrapping up set two and forcing a mouth-watering third set.

Sinner showed his class here, taking a 4-0 lead against the hepless de Minaur. He would clinch his first match point to make it to a seventh final in 2025, despite only competing in eight tournaments.

After the match, Sinner reacted on court to his triumph, as he said: “I felt Iike it was very high. Many great rallies. Many chances for both. I had my chances in the 2nd set. Couldn’t use them. Also he had more chances. So it was quite an even match. In the 3rd I tried to raise my level. I broke him very early, which gave me a bit of confidence to serve better at times. I was very very happy about today. It was a very different match than usually against him. It was a very even match. So I’m very happy about today and to be in the final again here.

“I felt like he was serving great at times. With great pace and also precision. I was serving very well today actually. He neutralized my serve very well. He was moving very fast. This court is quite slow at times. He arrives to more balls. I just tried to stay concentrated on the mental energy.. it was a very difficult match today. I’m very happy.”

The final will be played tomorrow, with Sinner only afforded one night to recover, but that does not bother him “Yeah, I mean, I have one night to recover. I’m gonna be fine. Finals you have even more adrenaline. More will to play as best as you can. I’m looking forward to it. Finals are very special. Another final for me this season. It’s a great result again. Let’s see who it’s gonna be.”

His final opponent could be the former world number one Medvedev, who he defeated back in 2023 in three sets to claim his first China Open title. He could not repeat the glory into 2024, after being pegged back by Alcaraz in a compelling match of tennis, spanning over three hours.