Jannik Sinner is into a 30th career final after defeating Alex De Minaur 6-3 4-6 6-2 in Beijing.
The Italian had beaten De Minaur in his previous ten meetings with the Australian and despite a second set blip, that perfect record continued.
It was a tough battle in which De Minaur fought valiantly but in the end Sinner prevailed in a two hour and 20 minute battle.
Now Sinner will look to win a third title this season after triumphs at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
After the match Sinner praised De Minaur’s level and is happy to be in a ninth consecutive hard court final, “I am very happy about today. It was a different match than usual against him, it was a very even match,” Sinner told the ATP website.
“I felt like the level was very high. Many great rallies, many great chances for both. I had my chances in the second set and couldn’t use them but he had his chances and it was quite an even match. In the third set I tried to raise my level. I broke him very early, which gave me confidence to then serve better.
“He was serving great at times with great pace and precision. He was returning very well. I was serving very well today, but he neutralised my serve very well. He was moving very fast and this court is quite slow at times, so he arrives at more balls. I tried to stay concentrated and not lose mental energy. It was a very difficult match today, so I am very happy.”
In the final Sinner will either face young American Learner Tien or Daniil Medvedev.
Should Medvedev win then it will be a rematch of the 2023 final which Sinner won in two tiebreaks with the Italian leading the overall head-to-head 8-7.
