Jannik Sinner Extends Dominance to Reach China Open Final in Beijing

Sinner’s Relentless Pursuit: Beijing Awaits Another Classic Final

It’s a rare thing in tennis to find a rivalry so lopsided that one player simply can’t solve the puzzle. Yet for Italy’s Jannik Sinner, his encounters with Australia’s Alex de Minaur have become a masterclass in consistency and dominance—a streak that continued on a cool Beijing evening as Sinner marched into his 30th tour-level final. The Italian’s three-set victory, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, at the China Open not only extended his head-to-head record against de Minaur to an astonishing 11-0, but also underscored why he’s become the man to beat on hard courts this season.

For Sinner, the journey to the final was anything but a walk in the park. De Minaur, fresh off a season where he’s racked up more hard-court wins than any of his peers, wasn’t just there to play the supporting role. He pushed Sinner in a gripping two-hour, 20-minute duel that swung with momentum shifts and bursts of athletic brilliance. The Australian’s resilience, especially in the second set, was a reminder of how razor-thin the margins can be at the elite level.

Unyielding Rivalry: Sinner’s Psychological Edge Over De Minaur

Since their first clash at the Next Gen ATP Finals in 2019, de Minaur has been searching for answers to the Sinner conundrum. Eleven attempts, eleven defeats—the numbers tell the story, but the matches have often been closer than the record suggests. In Beijing, de Minaur fought hard, even claiming only his second set ever against Sinner. The second set saw de Minaur tighten his game, limiting unforced errors and upping the aggression, while Sinner’s rhythm momentarily faltered.

“I felt like the level was very high,” Sinner reflected after the match, speaking with measured satisfaction. “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. I am very happy about today. It was a different match than usual against him, it was a very even match.” (ATP Tour)

That early break in the third set proved pivotal. Sinner, known for his relentless baseline aggression, unleashed a barrage of forehands—his third-set forehand shot quality registering a remarkable 9.8 according to Infosys ATP Stats. Even with just 52% of his first serves landing, the Italian’s ability to seize the initiative when it mattered most kept the Australian at bay. In the end, it was Sinner’s composure and tactical flexibility that tipped the scales.

Finals Consistency and the Chase for Year-End No. 1

Beijing has become a happy hunting ground for Sinner. He’s now only the second player after Novak Djokovic (2012-15) to reach three consecutive finals at the China Open—a stat that puts him in illustrious company. In 2023, Sinner lifted the trophy. In 2024, he fell to Carlos Alcaraz. Now, in 2025, he stands on the brink of another title, set to face either Daniil Medvedev or the emerging Learner Tien.

This year, Sinner has reached finals in seven of the eight tournaments he’s entered, already claiming major victories at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. The Beijing run comes on the heels of a tough US Open final loss to Alcaraz, a defeat that cost Sinner the world No. 1 spot in the PIF ATP Rankings. But with Alcaraz only 2,590 points ahead in the ATP Live Race to Turin, the door remains open for Sinner to reclaim the coveted year-end No. 1 ranking.

“He was serving great at times with great pace and precision,” Sinner said of de Minaur. “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.”

De Minaur, for his part, continues to build momentum in his quest for a Nitto ATP Finals berth. His Beijing semi-final run has pushed him up to seventh in the ATP Live Race to Turin, a crucial step for the 26-year-old Australian.

The Road Through Beijing: Sinner’s Path to the Final

Sinner’s route to the final wasn’t without its own tests. In the quarterfinals, he faced Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan—a player who, after a shaky start, nearly forced a decider. Sinner’s 6-1, 7-5 win was hard-earned, marked by a dominant opening set and a tense second where Marozsan briefly led 5-4. Sinner’s response was vintage: back-to-back breaks, 12 of the last 13 points, and a display of mental fortitude that’s become his trademark. “I made a great start and played well in the second set. Fabian served much better in the second set and played more aggressively. I held from 0-30 a couple of times, which is always nice. I had opportunities to break my rival at 4-3 and serve for the win, which did not happen. Overall, it was a good match when Fabian raised his level. He missed a couple of easy shots in the closing stages of the encounter, allowing me to seal the deal in straight sets. I’m pleased with today’s victory,” Sinner said (Tennis World USA).

The statistics tell their own story: 19 winners from Sinner, more service winners, and a clear edge from the baseline. Marozsan, though, showed flashes of his own brilliance, especially as he made Sinner work for the finish line.

As the sun sets on Beijing and anticipation builds for the final, one question lingers: can anyone stop Jannik Sinner when he’s locked in on a hard court?

Assessment: Sinner’s journey through Beijing is more than just a series of wins—it’s a testament to his evolution as a player who combines tactical sharpness with psychological steel. While his dominance over de Minaur is striking, it’s Sinner’s consistency, adaptability, and resilience under pressure that mark him as a true contender for the sport’s highest honors. With the ATP year-end No. 1 ranking still within reach and his form peaking at the right time, the Italian is not just rewriting records—he’s redefining what it means to be relentless on the modern tennis stage.