BEIJING – Carlos Alcaraz won seven straight points in the decisive tiebreaker, defeated leader Jannik Sinner 6-7 (6), 6-4, 7-6 (3) and won the China Open, building his latest championship over his biggest Rivals – anyone who is dealing with an ongoing doping case.

Third-placed Alcaraz has now won all three meetings with Sinner this year, having also emerged victorious in the Indian Wells and French Open semi-finals.

“He could have won in two, I could have won in two, he could have won in three. It was a really close game,” said Alcaraz. “Jannik has shown once again that he is the best player in the world, at least for me. The level he plays is incredible. It’s really high quality tennis. He’s a beast both physically and mentally.”

Alcaraz ended Sinner’s winning streak at 14 matches and denied the Italian three straight titles after trophies in Cincinnati and the US Open.

Sinner, who was the defending champion in Beijing, had to refocus after the World Anti-Doping Agency announced it was appealing a decision to clear him of wrongdoing after two positive steroid tests.

Alcaraz squandered a 5-2 lead in the first set and also left Sinner behind in the third set after leading 4-2 before finally prevailing after also falling 0-3 behind in the final set tiebreak .

Alcaraz changed both shoes after falling behind 2-0 in the third set tiebreak. He then dropped another point before going on a seven-point run that showed why he’s a threat anywhere on the court. There were inside-out forehand winners – including one on his first match point – a difficult volley approach shot and also a drop shot.

“I’m not going to lie: 3-0 down, two mini-breaks for him, so I didn’t lose hope, but I thought, ‘Okay, I have to give everything I can just to try and give myself that. ‘ “Opportunity to be close,” Alcaraz said. “I played great points just to make it 3-3 and after that I just think about going for it. If I lose it, at least I tried.”

Alcaraz produced 55 winners compared to Sinner’s 30, but also had 52 unforced errors compared to his opponent’s 31 – a sign of their different styles: Alcaraz’s attacking play vs. Sinner’s steady baseline approach.

The match, played in cool conditions with the retractable roof open, lasted 3 hours and 21 minutes, making it the longest contest in tournament history (since 2004).

Sinner and Alcaraz have won all four Grand Slam titles together this year – each as a pair: Sinner won the Australian Open and the US Open, while Alcaraz won the French Open and Wimbledon.

Alcaraz improved to 6-4 in his career against Sinner, the 10th meeting in tennis’ top rivalry following the 60-match series between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

“I respect you a lot as a player, but even more as a person,” Alcaraz told Sinner during the trophy ceremony.

Sinner congratulated Alcaraz on his “great” work.

“Hopefully we can play a few more times in the future, I’m pretty sure,” Sinner said. “It is always a great pleasure to share the space with you.”

WADA is seeking a ban of one to two years for Sinner in a case that may not be resolved before Sinner begins defending his Australian Open title in January.

Sinner tested positive for an anabolic steroid twice in March but was not banned in an independent tribunal decision announced by the International Tennis Integrity Agency in August because the ITIA found he was not at fault.

Sinner’s accepted explanation was that the banned performance enhancer entered his body inadvertently through a massage from his physiotherapist, who had treated his own cut finger with a spray containing the steroid.

Sinner thanked his team and family for their support.

“We didn’t make it today, but it was another great fight and in a few days there will be another chance,” said Sinner, looking ahead to his next event in Shanghai.

Sabalenka extends winning streak to 15 games

Second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka matched her career-best 15 straight wins with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Madison Keys to advance to the quarterfinals of the women’s tournament in Beijing.

The three-time Grand Slam champion began her winning streak in August with a title in Cincinnati and continued her run to the championship at the US Open. She also won the Australian Open earlier this year. Her previous winning streak of 15 came in the 2020-21 seasons.

“When you’re able to sacrifice a lot, work hard and get these victories, that’s the best feeling,” Sabalenka said.

The Belarusian has won 30 of 31 sets played in her current series and only lost one set against Ekaterina Alexandrova in the third round of the US Open.

This focus on form was quickly evident again when Sabalenka broke the keys at number 24 in the third game of the first set and then dominated her serve in an efficient 65-minute game, which improved her direct record against the American to 4-1.

Sabalenka will face Karolina Muchova in the quarter-finals after the Czech defeated Cristina Bucsa 6-2, 6-0.

Paris Olympics gold medalist Zheng Qinwen played a night match against Amanda Anisimova

Shanghai Masters

French veteran Gael Monfils easily advanced to the second round of the Shanghai Masters with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Damir Dzumhur.

The 38-year-old Monfils will next face the 22nd seed Argentinian Sebastian Baez.

Arthur Rinderknech also advanced with a 6-4, 7-6 (5) victory over American Reilly Opelka, while Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands beat Pablo Carreño Busta 7-6 (5), 6-2.

In addition, Alexandre Müller recovered from a set down and won 4:6, 6:1, 6:1 over the Italian Luca Nardi.