Carlos Alcaraz has bounced back emphatically from his early 2024 US Open exit, winning nine straight singles matches following his upset, second-round loss to Botic van De Zandschulp in New York.
After leading Team Europe to Laver Cup glory in Berlin last month, the Spaniard won his fourth singles title of the season by battling past Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner in the Beijing ATP 500. Alcaraz beat 2021 US Open champ Medvedev, 7-5, 6-3, in the semifinals before edging reigning New York titlist Sinner, 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3) in Wednesday's final.
The win against world No. 1 Sinner was Alcaraz's third in three matches against his chief rival this season, improving him to 6-4 in their head-to-head. All three of their 2024 matches have required the maximum number of sets, with Alcaraz coming back from a set down in the Indian Wells semifinals and from two-sets-to-one behind in the Roland Garros semis. He went on to win the title at both events.
Alcaraz won the final seven points of the Beijing final after falling behind 3-0 in the decisive tiebreak, ramping up his aggression to dominate down the stretch.
"I wanted to think that I went for it all the time," Alcaraz said of his attitude in the tiebreak. "I say that's all that matters.”
Alcaraz called Sinner a "beast" and "the best player in the world" after the match, and he looked back with pride on the tennis the pair put on display.
"I think both of us showed a really high level of tennis," he said. "High level mentally, physically, until the last ball. Running from side to side, showing really good rallies, really good points in the tie-break of the third. I'm really happy to be able to get that win at the end.”
Looking at the bigger picture, he added: "I think for the people who don't watch tennis, probably thanks to these kind of matches, [they] start to watch tennis or even practice it. When Jannik and I face each other, I think it's a really good thing for tennis because we always show a really intense match, really close match, great points, great rallies."
Sinner also left the court with is head held high, after sharing a few smiles with his rival during the trophy ceremony. He was equally full of praise for Alcaraz, while also expressing gratitude for their blossoming rivalry.
"I feel like it's always great when we meet. We try to push ourself and each other to the limits. He for me is a [reference] point of where I work," Sinner said. "It's always nice to share the court with him. I feel like also the fans, they like it. Usually the matches are quite long, they're physical, there are many turning points.
"It’s always nice. I feel privileged and honored to share the court with him. As I said, we both tried to win. We tried to concentrate on every point. Having a great attitude on the court, that makes it happen that it's a very interesting match always."
Just to reach the final, Alcaraz had to get past his Laver Cup teammate Medvedev. After Alcaraz's victory in that match, Medvedev joked with the Spaniard about his strategy for their next meeting.
“I told Carlos next match I'm going to paint my hair blonde and put 'Botic' here [on my chest]. Maybe this can help,” Medvedev joked, referring to the Dutchman's US Open victory over Alcaraz. “Today I played pretty well. I don't see how I could beat him today... Next match I need to try something. Maybe throw him off a little bit. But it's a joke, of course."
The ATP Tour's Asian swing continues this week with the ATP Masters 1000 in Shanghai, where both Alcaraz and Sinner will bid to claim the trophy for the first time. Medvedev, who won the 2019 Shanghai title, seeks to end his personal hoodoo of never winning two trophies at the same event.
