The Beijing Open final was the scene for a spectacular epic as Carlos Alcaraz defeated world No.1 Jannik Sinner 6-7(6) 6-4 7-6(3) in three hours and 21 minutes.
Alcaraz entered the contest with a favourable 5-4 head-to-head advantage, including the previous two meetings.
It was a tale of twists and turns throughout the final, as Alcaraz blew a 5-2 lead in the opening set to leave the door ajar for the top seed. Another remarkable comeback to save two set points in the tiebreak handed Sinner the one-set advantage.
The Spaniard executed the sole break in the second to send the match into a decider, with a handful of intense rallies making the highlight reel.
Another momentum shift occurred when Sinner clawed back from a 2-4 deficit to force the final into a third-set tiebreak.
A double mini-break at 3-0 quickly evaporated for the Italian when Alcaraz converted seven consecutive points en route to a taxing victory.
"It was a really close match," said Alcaraz who won 500 ATP ranking points. "Jannik showed once again that he's the best player in the world, at least for me, the level that he's playing is unbelievable.
"I had my chances in the first set, [but] didn't make it. But in general, I'm proud of myself with the way that I dealt with the match [and] the way that I managed everything.
"I'm really happy that in the third set, even though he broke my serve again and it was really close, I gave myself the chance to keep going, playing aggressively and I'm really happy that I made it."
The past few days have been one of the most challenging in Sinner's career, having learned that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) will appeal the decision not to suspend him.
Earlier in the tournament, Alcaraz sympathised with the two-time Grand Slam champion.
"It is difficult for him. I know everyone is talking about it, the news is talking about it," he said.
"Probably, as he said before New York, people started to look at him in a different way. I don’t know how it can be, but for sure I understand the position. I feel (for) him.
"The game and the level that he’s playing with everything he’s been through right now, it’s insane. I hope that this thing… will be aside soon and he’s able to stay focused on what he loves, and that is playing tennis, trying to keep going."
The pair shared a touching moment on social media - travelling together on a private jet to Shanghai for the upcoming Masters 1000 event.
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