Jannik Sinner crushes Learner Tien to claim China Open title
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The China Open victory was Jannik Sinner's third title of the year He beat Learner Tien 6-2, 6-2, in the final on Oct 1.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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BEIJING – Jannik Sinner was back to his best in a 6-2, 6-2 victory over American teenager Learner Tien in the China Open final on Oct 1, as the world No. 2 picked up his third title of the year and 21st tour-level trophy overall.
Carlos Alcaraz’s Japan Open title a day earlier and Sinner’s triumph marked the first time since 2020 that the top two ranked players both claimed trophies in the same week, after Novak Djokovic (Dubai) and Rafael Nadal (Acapulco) managed the feat.
“It’s a very, very special place for me,” Sinner said during the trophy presentation in Beijing.
“My team, thanks for understanding and working with me. Not all the team is here, hopefully the rest are watching from home. We'll try to improve and push for more and see what the rest of the season looks like.
“But I’m very happy to share this (trophy) with all of you.”
The four-time Grand Slam champion came into the title match at the National Tennis Centre after a hard-fought semi-final win over Alex de Minaur on Sept 30, during which he struggled with physical problems caused by a stomach bug.
There were no signs of discomfort in his first meeting with 19-year-old Tien, however, as Sinner settled into the match with a break in the opening game and looked solid throughout to take the first set with a hold in the final game.
Tien, playing in his first final and bidding to become the youngest American ATP Tour champion since Andy Roddick in 2002, twice earned break points in the second set but Sinner fended them off and built a 4-2 lead.
The 2023 champion sealed the win on his third match point to become the second man to claim multiple trophies at the ATP 500 event after Djokovic (2009-10, 2012-15).
“You’ve shown throughout the whole season what a talent you are,” Sinner told Tien.
“Keep going. You’re playing incredible tennis. I wish you all the best for the rest of the season and obviously for your whole career... hopefully we can share more moments like this in the future.”
Sinner will next compete in the Shanghai Masters beginning this week while his main rival Alcaraz recovers from injury, saying he has “been struggling with some physical issues” during this title-winning run in Tokyo.
In the Beijing women’s field, Iga Swiatek’s play collapsed in the final set as Emma Navarro stunned the top seed and 2023 China Open champion 6-4, 4-6, 6-0.
The 24-year-old world No. 17 plays either fellow American Jessica Pegula or Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk in the quarter-finals on Oct 3.
“I definitely had some adjusting to do after our last couple times playing,” said Navarro, who had lost both previous meetings to the Polish world No. 2.
Britain’s Sonay Kartal beat world No. 5 Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 2-6, 7-5 in another surprise to clinch her first top-10 win.
The world No. 81 next plays 27th-ranked Czech Linda Noskova in her first 1000-level quarter-final on Oct 3.
Meanwhile, former world No. 6 Gael Monfils will retire at the end of next season, the Frenchman said on Oct 1.
Known for his athleticism and flair, the veteran has won 13 ATP Tour titles, the latest of which came in Auckland in January, nearly 20 years after his first in Poland in 2005.
His victory in the Auckland Classic made him the oldest player to win an ATP Tour title at 38 years and four months.
“Now, after celebrating my 39th birthday just a month ago, I’d like to share that the year ahead will be my last as a professional tennis player,” Monfils wrote on social media.
“The opportunity to turn my passion into a profession is a privilege I have cherished during every match and moment of my 21-year career.
“Though this game means the world to me, I am tremendously at peace with my decision to retire at the end of the 2026 tennis season.” REUTERS, AFP
