In a semifinal thriller at the 2025 China Open on September 30, Australian star Alex de Minaur pulled off an “insane” point against world No. 2 Jannik Sinner, showcasing jaw-dropping athleticism and shot-making that lit up social media and the Beijing crowd. The highlight, shared widely by The Tennis Letter on X, featured de Minaur’s lightning-fast retrievals, a stunning lob, and a cross-court winner that left Sinner scrambling—described as “jawdropping level” with five mind-blown emojis in the viral post that racked up over 7,700 likes and 337,000 views. Despite the moment of brilliance, Sinner extended his perfect 11-0 head-to-head dominance with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 victory in 2 hours and 20 minutes, advancing to his third straight Beijing final.
The Point: A Rally for the Ages
The viral sequence unfolded in a critical game, likely during de Minaur’s gritty second-set push where he claimed his second-ever set against Sinner (the first since 2020). De Minaur, known for his speed and counterpunching, chased down multiple Sinner bombs, turning defense into offense with a mix of dives, volleys, and precision passing shots. The point ended with de Minaur’s forehand winner down the line, drawing roars from the Diamond Court crowd and gasps from analysts. Sinner, who broke early in the first set for a 4-2 lead but faced resistance, later praised the “very high” level of play. Fans on X hailed it as a “point of the tournament,” with clips circulating under hashtags like #DeMinaurSinner and #ChinaOpen2025.
De Minaur’s run to the semis included dominant wins over Bu Yunchaokete (6-4, 6-0), a three-setter against Arthur Rinderknech (6-7(3), 6-3, 7-6(5)), and a walkover when Jakub Mensik retired injured at 4-1. This marked his fourth semifinal of 2025, boosting his hard-court win tally to 34—the most on tour this year.
Sinner’s Unstoppable Rivalry Edge
Sinner, the 2023 Beijing champion, improved to 11-0 against de Minaur, dropping just two sets across their meetings (one here, one in 2020). The Italian, on a 40-5 season record (21-2 on hard), regrouped in the decider with an early break and ace-heavy serving to seal his ninth straight hard-court final. He now faces either Daniil Medvedev or Learner Tien in the final, chasing a third Beijing title and closing the gap on Carlos Alcaraz in the year-end No. 1 race.
Their head-to-head history underscores Sinner’s edge:
| Match | Tournament | Score | Key Note |
|——-|————|——-|———-|
| Sep 2025 (China Open SF) | Hard | Sinner 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 | De Minaur’s “insane” point; Sinner’s 11th win. |
| Jan 2025 (Australian Open QF) | Hard | Sinner 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 | Straight-sets en route to AO title. |
| Previous 9 meetings (2019-2024) | Various | Sinner wins all | Only one set lost by Sinner (2020). |
Fan and Analyst Buzz
The point exploded online, with @TheTennisLetter’s video post fueling excitement: “Jawdropping level. 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯” (7742 likes). Analysts noted de Minaur’s fight as a morale boost despite the loss: “That point showed why he’s a top-10 threat—speed and heart,” per ATP Tour coverage. Sinner, meanwhile, eyes ATP Finals qualification (already locked) and a potential year-end No. 1 push.
At 26, de Minaur’s resilience shines through the rivalry drought, while Sinner’s dominance cements his hard-court supremacy. Beijing’s drama continues in the final—tennis at its electric best.
