Jannik Sinner, the world’s top-ranked tennis player, secured his place in the China Open final on Tuesday with a hard-fought win over Chinese wildcard Bu Yunchaokete. The Italian champion won 6-3, 7-6 (7/3), surviving a second-set tie break to set up a showdown with Carlos Alcaraz.
Sinner, 23, faced a packed stadium of home fans cheering for Bu, ranked 96th in the world. Bu gave Sinner a tough match, particularly in the early stages, where he managed to put the Italian under pressure. However, Sinner’s experience and resilience shone through as he eventually gained control.
After taking the first set, Sinner faced a determined challenge from Bu in the second, which culminated in a tie break. Sinner served an ace to clinch victory after more than two hours on the court.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz, the second seed, advanced to the final with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Daniil Medvedev. Alcaraz has been in excellent form throughout the tournament, not dropping a set on his way to his first final in Beijing.
Sinner’s path to the final has been complicated by a doping case that resurfaced this week. After initially being cleared, Sinner now faces the possibility of a ban as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has appealed the decision. Despite the ongoing controversy, Sinner has remained focused on his game.
The final will take place on Wednesday, with both players eyeing the prestigious title.