China Open final: When is Jannik Sinner v Carlos Alcaraz, head-to-head record, what have they said, match preview
Two of the leading stars on the ATP Tour will meet in the final of the China Open. It will be the 10th meeting between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz but only the second time they have faced off in the final of a tournament. When is the match taking place? Who leads the head-to-head record? And what have Sinner and Alcaraz said about the prospect of facing each other?
‘I like facing the best players’ – Alcaraz ‘happy’ to face Sinner in China Open final
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will meet for a 10th time, as they clash in a blockbuster China Open final.
The two rivals are viewed as the future of men’s tennis and have won all four Grand Slams between them this year.
They both come into the final riding winning streaks – Sinner’s stretching back 15 matches to the start of the Cincinnati Masters and Alcaraz’s running over eight straight matches.
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Sinner is also the defending champion in Beijing.
When is the China Open final between Sinner and Alcaraz? Who leads the head to head? And what have both players said about facing each other again? Here’s everything you need to know…
When is the China Open final?
Sinner and Alcaraz will meet in the China Open final on Wednesday, October 2.
The best-of-three set match is set to start at around 10am UK time.
Both then face a quick turnaround before starting their Shanghai Masters campaigns later this week.
Sinner v Alcaraz: Who leads head to head?
Alcaraz holds a 5-4 lead in the head-to-head record against Sinner.
This will be only their second meeting in a final, the first was in Umag 2022 when Sinner defeated Alcaraz in three sets.
Alcaraz has won both previous meetings against Sinner this year, triumphing on hard courts at Indian Wells in three sets and then winning a five-set semi-final at the French Open.
Sinner, though, did beat Alcaraz in the China Open semis a year ago.
Sinner expecting ‘tough match’
Sinner on facing Alcaraz: “It’s going to be a tough match. We know each other very well now, but every match is different, so the situation on the court is also a bit different than it was the last two matches. But let’s see.
“We know each other very well. It’s going to be tactical, but I’m looking forward to it…I just hope tomorrow is going to be a good match from both of us.”
Alcaraz on facing Sinner: “As I always said, I really like the battles, the toughest match facing the best players in the world…Jannik is the best player in the world right now.
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What’s at stake in the final?
Aside from the trophy, there are points at stake for Sinner and Alcaraz in the battle to finish as year-end No. 1.
Sinner is currently in the box seat with 9,330 points in the Race to Turin standings, which serve as an indicator for the year-end No. 1 spot.
Alcaraz is on 6,340 points but could narrow the gap slightly with victory in the final.
Alexander Zverev is third in the Race to Turin standings on 6,115 points.
Alcaraz is also chasing his first title since winning at Wimbledon in July.
After the China Open there are two Masters 1000 events remaining this season in Shanghai and Paris, and then the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin.
