Jannik Sinner bosses big moments to beat Medvedev in China Open final

Beijing: Jannik Sinner said holding his nerve in “important moments” was the key to edging out world number three Daniil Medvedev in Wednesday’s China Open men’s final, which turned on a pair of high-stakes tie-breaks in Beijing.

The Italian triumphed 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/2) in an otherwise deadlocked match to claim the first such tournament since 2019 after Beijing ditched tight pandemic-era health restrictions.

Neither man was able to break the other’s serve but Sinner missed a presentable opportunity in the first set when he walloped an overhead volley long on break point and allowed the Russian to hold from deuce.

It was a different story in the tie-break, with the world number seven racing into a 5-0 lead and sealing the deal when Medvedev struck a forehand into the net.

A similar stalemate ensued in set two with the first dozen games going with serve before Sinner again showed his composure when it mattered.

He took the lead in the tie-break with a deft drop shot and never looked back, whipping a stunning cross-court passing shot for match point and battering back a Medvedev serve to seize victory in front of a raucous crowd.

“At some point, I started to return a little bit better ... read his serve a little bit better, and that gave me confidence, especially for the tie-break,” Sinner said at a post-match news conference.

“The important moments in every match ... today I also managed somehow that they (went) my way,” the 22-year-old added.

“Today’s final was a very high-level final, (and) I’m very happy about the ending of this tournament,” he said.

Medvedev admitted that his opponent played “much better than me” in both tie-breaks.

“He managed to control his emotions better in these tie-breaks (and) not make mistakes ... (while) I made some easy ones,” said the 27-year-old.

“In a way it’s luck, but also experience and stuff like this. That’s why he won.”

World No 2 and tournament favourite Carlos Alcaraz was eliminated by Sinner in their semi-final on Tuesday.

The top-ranked men’s player, Novak Djokovic, is not playing in China this year.

Meanwhile, the first round of the ATP Shanghai Masters kicked off in the financial hub Wednesday.

A delighted home crowd watched on as Zhang Zhizhen and Bu Yunchaokete both made it through to the second round — the first time two Chinese men have done so.

Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic eliminated three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka in straight sets to add to his impressive list of wins this year — including over Djokovic and Sinner.

But Britain’s Andy Murray had a miserable night, losing to Russian Roman Safiullin 6-3, 6-2.

The loss crowns a disappointing set of recent results for the 36-year-old, who has won the tournament in Shanghai three times previously.

He also crashed out of the China Open in the first round last week in Beijing.