In Beijing, Sinner Stops De Minaur Again – Tennis Now
Alex de Minaur – like everybody else on tour not named Alcaraz – has a Jannik Sinner problem.
The Aussie snagged a set against the high-flying Italian for the second time in their 11 meetings, but could not keep his momentum as Sinner stormed through the final set to lock down his spot in the China Open final, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, in two hours and 20 minutes.
Sinner becomes the second man to reach three consecutive finals in the Chinese capital, as he reaches his ninth consecutive hard court final and improves to 22-2 on the surface this year.
The Italian’s streak of consecutive hard court finals reached is now tied for fourth in Open Era history.
Only Alcaraz has managed to defeat the four-time major champion on hard courts in 2025.
Additionally, Sinner has won each of his last 13 ATP semifinals, and becomes the youngest player to achieve that feat since Roger Federer in 2006.
Sinner, who has taken 25 of the pair’s 27 sets, survived a spirited effort from the eighth-ranked Aussie. De Minaur hung tough in the middle set, and eventually broke through when he scorched a forehand winner into the corner of the court with Sinner serving at 4-5, 30-40. He punctuated his winner with a fist-pump that said game on.
“I felt like he was serving great at times,” Sinner said. “With great pace and also precision. He was returning very well. I was serving very well today, so he neutralized my serve very well. I just tried to stay concentrated – it was a very difficult match today, so I’m very happy.”
The short-lived reprieve ended quickly, as Sinner broke at love in the next game, angling a backhand winner down the line to open the scoring in set three. The Italian saved a trio of break points to hold for 2-0 and broke to 15 in the next game to lead 3-0.
“In the third set I tried to raise my level,” Sinner said. “I broke him very early which gave me confidence.”
Sinner finished with 28 winners to 19 for De Minaur, including 15 off the forehand side.
The Italian kept his advantage the rest of the way and closed out his victory with no drama, reaching his 30th career ATP final – he will face either Daniil Medvedev or Learner Tien for the title on Wednesday. The four-time major champion has reached the final in seven of the eight events he has played in 2025.
