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Jannik Sinner reached the China Open final for the third year in succession on Tuesday, setting up a title clash with teenage American Learner Tien. The world number two was made to work hard in his semi-final against Alex de Minaur before prevailing 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. Sinner is now just one win away from lifting his second Beijing crown.“It’s a very special place for me. This court has always been amazing,” Sinner said after his victory, as quoted by AFP. “Many things were positive finding myself again here, playing the last match of the tournament, it’s great.” Standing between him and the trophy will be 19-year-old Tien, who stunned Daniil Medvedev in the other semi-final. The Russian struggled physically, with his leg strapped and movement restricted by cramps. He fell 0-4 behind in the deciding set before retiring in frustration.
Medvedev clashed with the chair umpire during the contest, reacting angrily to being issued a code violation for lack of effort. “Why is every referee in the world trying to intimidate me? I’m telling you I am giving my best effort. I’m not going to try to continue,” Medvedev said before leaving the court. Tien, at 19 years and nine months, became the second-youngest player to make the Beijing final, behind Rafael Nadal. Sinner, who was runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz at last year’s edition, will begin as the clear favourite on Wednesday.
Coco Gauff marches on
In the women’s draw, defending champion Coco Gauff fought past Belinda Bencic 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals. It was a tense battle that included an exchange of words between the players at the changeover, with Bencic complaining about Gauff’s team “chatting” during play. The American, however, kept her composure to win the second set tiebreak after Bencic double-faulted on set point.
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“It was a tough match,” Gauff said. “I had chances in the first to close it out but overall I’m happy with how I fought. She was being really aggressive.” The 21-year-old secured her spot at the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia with the win. She next faces Germany’s Eva Lys, who reached her first WTA 1000 quarter-final by defeating McCartney Kessler 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.
