Tennis News

Champions of September: Alcaraz, Sinner soar, Shang shines

In an action-packed September on the ATP Tour, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz soared to more glory.

New faces joined the old in the winner’s circle in China to kickstart the Asian swing, with Marin Cilic returning after a three-year hiatus in Hangzhou, and Shang Juncheng establishing a name for himself in front of his home faithful in Chengdu.

US Open, New York – Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner capped a dazzling 2024 campaign on the Grand Slam circuit by lifting his second major trophy at the US Open, adding to his Australian Open triumph in January. The 23-year-old rose to the challenge that was posed in the final by home hope Taylor Fritz, who was bidding to become the first American male to succeed at this level since Andy Roddick at the 2003 US Open. It was a gutsy performance from Sinner throughout the fortnight, eventually raising his level to soar into a commanding lead over Alexander Zverev and Alcaraz in the battle to claim ATP Year-End No.1 presented by PIF.

<img alt=”Jannik Sinner” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/09/08/22/02/sinner-us-open-2024-trophy-shot.jpg?w=100%25″ />
^{Photo: AFP/Getty Images}
Chengdu Open, Chengdu – Shang Juncheng
It was fitting that Shang Juncheng’s maiden ATP Tour title came on home soil in China, underpinning the impressive rise that the 19-year-old #NextGenATP star has undergone over the past year. With his fairytale run in Chengdu, which included a comprehensive 7-6(4), 6-1 win over top seed Lorenzo Musetti in the final, the flashy left showed why he is one of the most promising talents on the Tour, becoming just the second Chinese man to lift an ATP Tour title (Yibing Wu, Dallas 2023). With the triumph, Shang boosted his hopes of qualification for the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, cementing his third-place position in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah.

Hangzhou Open, Hangzhou – Marin Cilic
Marin Cilic carved his name into the history books with his resurgent performance to claim the title in Hangzhou, becoming the lowest-ranked ATP Tour champion since 1990. Arriving in China as No. 777 in the PIF ATP Rankings, the 35-year-old was able to reignite some of his most imposing tennis to edge to victory over Brandon Nakashima and prevent Zhang Zhizhen from creating more Chinese history in the final with a gripping straight-sets win, 7-6(5), 7-6(5).

Laver Cup, Berlin – Team Europe
It was Alcaraz who stole the show on his Laver Cup debut, picking up Team Europe from the brink of defeat and guiding the group to victory over Team World in a thrilling 13-11 comeback. Entering the final Sunday, Bjorn Borg’s team faced a 4-8 deficit in favour of John McEnroe’s men. Still, the Spaniard provided crucial wins in both doubles and singles to taste victory. After Borg and McEnroe’s seven-year tenure as Laver Cup captains, Yannick Noah and Andre Agassi will take over from 2025.

<img alt=”Team Europe celebrates its Laver Cup victory in Berlin.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/09/22/21/00/laver-cup-2024-group-trophy.jpg” />
^{Photo: AFP/Getty Images}

Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships, Japan – Arthur Fils
Arthur Fils battled back from the verge of defeat, saving a championship point against countryman Ugo Humbert in the Tokyo final to triumph 5-7, 7-6(6), 6-3 and clinch his second ATP 500 title of the 2024 campaign. A dazzling week in the Japanese capital saw the 20-year-old #NextGenATP star secure four wins over Top 20 opponents, including top seed Fritz, defending champion Ben Shelton, Holger Rune and Humbert. The Frenchman was forced to battle physical issues in each of the rounds from his quarter-final but eventually held his nerve to extend his lead at the top of the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah.

China Open, Beijing – Carlos Alcaraz
Alcaraz began his 2024 Asian Swing in emphatic fashion when he soared to a fourth title of the year in the Chinese capital. The 21-year-old rallied back from the brink of defeat in a gripping final against Sinner that was decided by the finest of margins, reflecting the absorbing nature of their rivalry. Alcaraz, who clinched a 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3) victory, became the first man to win an ATP 500 on hard courts, clay and grass in series history (since 2009).

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Alcaraz: 'I went for it all the time'

If the rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner was a book, it would be a thrilling page-turner that readers could not put down. The latest chapter, Alcaraz’s narrow victory against Sinner in an epic China Open final, delivered the highly-anticipated amount of enthrallment.

Back and forth with twists and turns mixed throughout, the ATP 500 final was edge-of-your-seat tennis for all three hours and 21 minutes, the longest match in tournament history. Alcaraz believes that matches like Wednesday’s final bring an excitement that will attract new fans to the sport.

“I think for the people who don’t watch tennis, probably thanks to these kind of matches, [they] start to watch tennis or even practise it. I think it is pretty good,” Alcaraz said. “When Jannik and I face each other, playing against each other, I think it’s a really good thing for tennis because we always show a really intense match, really close match, great points, great rallies.”

By winning his fourth title of the season, Alcaraz continued his perfect year against the World No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings. The Spaniard fell to Sinner a year ago in the Beijing semi-finals and has since won their three meetings in 2024: Indian Wells, Roland Garros and Beijing. Alcaraz now leads Sinner 6-4 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

“I try to enjoy as much as I can playing against him, but it’s not easy. I’m really happy. I mean, when you’re able to beat one of the best, if not the best, tennis player in the world, obviously it seems like you’re doing the right things, you’re doing the right work,” Alcaraz said.

“I’m proud of myself with everything I’ve done the last month, working really hard physically, on the court as well. It has been an intense month. But I’m really happy to end it with the trophy here in Beijing, with a really incredible match.”

The 21-year-old’s 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3) triumph against Sinner displayed everything fans love about both players. There was monstrous firepower from the baseline and superb shotmaking combined with court coverage that showcased their speed and agility.

Watch Extended Highlights

It was also a testament to both players’ mental resilience. Alcaraz let slip a 5-2 lead in the opening set, which he eventually lost. The Spaniard held a break advantage in the decider, but was eventually pushed to a final-set tie-break.

“It was a really close match. I mean, Jannik could win in straight sets. I could win in two sets. I had my chances in the first set. Didn’t take it,” Alcaraz said. “I’m really happy with the way that I managed that moment. I lost the first set with a lot of opportunities, didn’t make it. Coming up in the second set, I tried to clear my mind a little bit and just tried to keep going, playing the good tennis that I was doing the first set.

“I think both of us showed a really high level of tennis. High level mentally, physically, until the last ball. Running from side to side, showing really good rallies, really good points in the tie-break of the third. I’m really happy to be able to get that win at the end.”

Alcaraz had his back against the wall in the final-set tie-break. Sinner had claimed 18 of his previous 19 tie-breaks, including one in the first set of the final, according to Infosys ATP Stats. The Italian struck two forehand winners on the first two points and then opened up a 3/0 lead.

But Alcaraz stormed back, tallying seven consecutive points to capture his 16th tour-level title.

“I just tried to keep going, tried not to think about anything else but the next point,” Alcaraz said. “I tried to play the same way I was playing. If I miss it, I miss it. I wanted to think that I went for it all the time. I say that’s all that matters.”

Alcaraz became the first player to win an ATP 500 crown on all three surfaces (hard, clay and grass) in series history (since 2009). His eight-match win streak is a welcomed sight after suffering a shocking second-round upset at the US Open.

Alcaraz, who captured his 200th tour-level win in the Beijing second round, is up to second in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin following his title run.

“It was a really special win for me, lifting this trophy in front of my team, part of my family. It was a great moment for me. I guess [Juan Carlos Ferrero] got emotional at the end because we all know what we went through the last month or the last two months. It was a really difficult moment on the court, off the court,” Alcaraz said.

“As I said in the speech, thanks to [my team], I started to get the joy back playing the matches, practising, I got motivated again. I really wanted to travel, to play tournaments again. Probably after the American swing, I was a little bit down, I didn’t want to touch a racquet for a while. I didn’t want to travel, let’s say.

“After that, we talked a lot during those days, knowing that I have to be back practising, be stronger physically, be stronger mentally just to overcome those problems, let’s say. The last month we’ve been working really, really hard on the court, off the court, just to be able to feel this moment again.”

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Alcaraz ascends to second in Live Race, Mover of Week

Carlos Alcaraz reigned supreme at the China Open this week in Beijing to leapfrog Alexander Zverev for second in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, only behind rival Italian Jannik Sinner, whom he defeated in the ATP 500 final.

In Tokyo, Frenchman Arthur Fils downed four Top 20 opponents to be crowned champion. Can the 20-year-old make a late-season push to go from finalist at last year’s Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF to a Nitto ATP Finals qualifier, just 12 months later?

ATPTour.com looks at the movers of the week in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin as of Wednesday, 2 October.

Carlos Alcaraz – 2nd (6,510 points)

The Spaniard was dominant all week in Beijing, where he did not drop a set en route to the final. Alcaraz powered past two rivals — Daniil Medvedev and Sinner — in the semi-finals and final, respectively, to claim 500 points and move one place to second in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin. Beijing marked the 21-year-old’s fourth title of 2024. Alcaraz, who defeated Sinner in a memorable championship match, has already secured his place at the season-finale Nitto ATP Finals.

Arthur Fils – 18th (2,070 points)

The young Fils keeps adding milestones to his blossoming career. The Frenchman lifted the Tokyo title, marking his second ATP 500 crown, both of which have come this year (Hamburg). Fils, who saved a championship point Tuesday, is up six places in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin.

Ugo Humbert – 19th (2,025 points)

You do not have to look much beyond Fils to find the next Frenchman enjoying a standout season. Humbert, who finished runner-up to Fils in Tokyo, has won two titles this season (Marseille, Dubai) and tallied 33 match wins. He is up three places this week in the PIF Live Race To Turin.

Tomas Machac – 36th (1,233 points)

The Czech is in the form of his life this season, having reached his first tour-level final in Geneva. Machac, 23, upset fifth seed Tommy Paul in the Tokyo second round and went on to reach the semi-finals, collecting 200 points.

Buyunchaokete – 66th (696 points)

What is better than playing your first tour-level semi-final? By following it up the next week with another semi-final appearance, just as Buyunchaokete did in Hangzhou and Beijing, where he fell to Sinner in the last four. ‘Bu’ gained 200 points, the most he has ever earned in a tournament.

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Sinner on Alcaraz rivalry: 'We try to push each other to the limits'

Jannik Sinner suffered a heartbreaking defeat on Wednesday evening in the China Open final to rival Carlos Alcaraz. But despite the sting of losing a final-set tie-break with the ATP 500 trophy on the line, the Italian was able to look back at the clash in a positive way.

“It’s always nice to be part of these kind of matches. Obviously disappointed it didn’t go my way. These kind of matches can really go both ways. But it was not my day,” Sinner said. “He played better in important moments. That’s it. I’m proud again of a great week, making finals here. Last year I won here. For sure it’s a place where I love to play, so I’m already looking forward for next year.”

The Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner, which the Spaniard now leads 6-4, has turned into one of the most captivating rivalries in all of sport. Sinner explained his appreciation for competing with such a tough opponent.

“I feel like it’s always great when we meet. We try to push ourself and each other to the limits. He for me is a [reference] point of where I work,” Sinner said. “Also today I saw a couple things where I need to get better. It’s not only him, there are also other players.

“It’s always nice to share the court with him. I feel like also the fans, they like it. Usually the matches are quite long, they’re physical, there are many turning points… It’s always nice. Feel privileged and honoured to share the court with him. As I said, we both tried to win. We tried to concentrate on every point. Having a great attitude on the court, that makes it happen that it’s a very interesting match always.”

Watch Extended Final Highlights:

Sinner entered the final-set tie-break having claimed 18 of his previous 19 tie-breaks, including one in the first set of the final, according to Infosys ATP Stats. But Alcaraz stormed back from a 0/3 deficit to triumph.

“The margins are very small. In the tie-breaks, the small margins, they seem very big. That’s it. You have to accept it,” Sinner said. “You have to keep working on a couple of things. I won many tie-breaks in the last period of time. This one, it went away. That’s it. It’s all good.”

The 23-year-old was unable to declare exactly where the match ranks on the list of the best he has played. But he said it “for sure” is in the top five.

“7-6 in the third in a final, it’s always tough. I had some great matches in the past, even if I’m still young as a player,” Sinner said. “But yeah, I’m always happy to make new experiences, trying to grow. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. That’s how this sport is. There are very highs and sometimes there are lows. It’s all good.

“My season is going very, very consistent, very great. We try to keep building and working for the rest of the season. Now in the next tournament, it’s a very important tournament for me because it’s only the second time I [am] playing there, but I haven’t reached the final stages of the tournament yet. It’s already trying to concentrate there and hopefully finishing off the season in a very positive way.”

BEIJING CHAMPION 🏆

In a breathtaking final, @carlosalcaraz fights back to defeat the defending champion Sinner 6-7(6) 6-4 7-6(3) for the #ChinaOpen title!@chinaopen pic.twitter.com/idvMd6LRiz

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 2, 2024

Now Sinner will quickly turn his attention to the Rolex Shanghai Masters, where he will pursue his seventh title of the season and continue his efforts to claim ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF honours. He leads Alcaraz by 2,820 points in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin.

“Shanghai is completely different because the situation is different. Hopefully I get into rhythm quite fast. For sure it’s going to be a tough first-round match. Every tournament is difficult to play first rounds,” Sinner said. “For sure there are things where I can improve. We will work on that, trying to become always a better player and also better person. Also the work never stops.”

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Djokovic makes China return & embraces new fashion

Novak Djokovic is back on Chinese soil.

It is a treat not only for the local adoring fans, but also for the four-time Rolex Shanghai Masters champion Djokovic.

“I wanted to play in China… I said, ‘Okay, I need to play the tournament in Shanghai, it’s the biggest event in China and one of the great 1000 events we have on Tour’. I missed being in China,” Djokovic told ATP Media.

“It’s been a while, five years. A lot has happened in the meantime in those five years for me and my career, so I was looking forward to coming and experiencing the love and energy and support that I’ve been getting from Chinese fans all these years.”

Making his 10th Shanghai appearance, the 37-year-old has long felt warm support from Chinese fans stretched across the globe. Now Djokovic is competing in their backyard for the first time since 2019.

“I met some of them on the Tour the last couple of years and they were asking me in a way, ‘You need to come back to China and play!’ So I’m happy that I’m here, I really am,” Djokovic said. “It’s one of the most spectacular events. The stadium is just incredible, one of the nicest ones we have on the Tour in our sport.”

Djokovic owns the most wins (34) and titles (2012-13, 2015, 2018) in Shanghai tournament history. As is the case almost any time Djokovic steps on court, the World No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings is chasing a milestone this week.

The fourth seed will attempt to become the third man in the Open Era to capture 100 tour-level titles and break his tie with Roger Federer for most titles on hard courts (71).

Boasting a 34-5 tournament record, Djokovic will open his title quest against home favourite Buyunchaokete or #NextGenATP Alex Michelsen.

“I’ve had plenty of success here and in Beijing, won a lot of titles,” said Djokovic. “Hopefully that previous experience and the memories that I have can help me do well this year as well.”

Before arriving in Shanghai, Djokovic spent time in Beijing and at the Great Wall of China. Lacoste hosted a special event at the Ju Yong Guan pass, where a tennis court was set up and Djokovic enjoyed hitting some balls with Chinese actor Wang Yibo.

Djokovic also visited the Summer Palace and sported a bright green tracksuit while strolling the streets of China’s capital city.

Chinese dreams in @Lacoste greens. pic.twitter.com/etwWY2bdKK

— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) September 30, 2024

“It brought back the 90s. I’m a kid of the 90s and I remember those days,” Djokovic said with a laugh. “The music and how everybody, like the music artists were dressing up. The tracksuit was a big deal. The colour was really out there. I was walking on the street and people were like, ‘Woah! What’s going on? This is a little bit too much for our eyes!’ We had fun.”

It may have brought flashbacks to the past, but perhaps it was also a glimpse of what fans will see more of from Djokovic moving forward. The Beglrade native has been receiving fashion advice from his wife and some friends, who work in fashion.

“I’m enjoying the new style to be honest. I’m starting to expand on what I can wear and what I wasn’t wearing for a long time — I’m starting to like it a little bit more. I pay more attention to it,” Djokovic said. “I wasn’t really caring as much for fashion in the past off the court. I was more kind of conversative, jeans or chinos and a polo, that was kind of my vibe for a long time, but now I’m stepping out of the box a little bit and exploring the fashion world.”

Djokovic will aim to step in the winner’s circle for the second time this year. The Serbian has tallied a 32-8 season record with his best result coming at the Paris Olympics, where he captured the gold medal.

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#NextGenATP Shang off to flying start in Shanghai

#NextGenATP Shang Juncheng continued his inspired form on home turf as he surged into the second round of the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

The 19-year-old’s prowess from the back of the court was on full display as he battled through fellow #NextGenATP player Coleman Wong, claiming a 6-4, 6-4 victory. Shang fell behind an early break in the second set but soon clicked into gear, rattling off four games on the spin to cross the line in one hour and 36 minutes.

Sealed with a kiss 😘

Juncheng Shang defeats Coleman Wong 6-4 6-4 to reach the second round in Shanghai for the first time.@SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters | #NextGenATP pic.twitter.com/IdISvOa4Ek

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 2, 2024

Shang showed glimpses of the reliable tennis that propelled him to his maiden ATP Tour title at the Chengdu Open two weeks ago, establishing himself as the second Chinese man to lift a tour-level trophy.

The No. 52 in the PIF ATP Rankings has set a popcorn second-round contest against World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, who is fresh off claiming his fourth tour-level title of the year at the China Open in Beijing.

“These three weeks have been unreal for me, I have been so positive on the court, trying to be happy, enjoying the crowd,” Shang said of his stellar run of form. “Against Carlos [Alcaraz], it’s never easy, he’s one of the best players in the world. Hopefully I can bring out some good energy.”

Shang wasn’t the only home hope to light up the courts on day one in Shanghai, with Wu Yibing claiming his first tour-level win of the 2024 season.

The 24-year-old, who preceded Shang as the first Chinese man to lift an ATP Tour trophy at the Dallas Open last year, comprehensively defeated Sumit Nagal 6-3, 6-3 to advance to the second round.

Denis Shapovalov secured the 200th tour-level win of his career with a thrilling triumph over Lorenzo Sonego. The Canadian held his nerve to clinch a 7-6(5), 7-6(8) victory over the Italian, edging 2-1 ahead in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

Put it in the book 📚@denis_shapo defeats Lorenzo Sonego 7-6(5) 7-6(8) to record his 200th tour-level victory.@SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/ChKaDmF6Wd

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 2, 2024

Shapovalov faces Ben Shelton in an intriguing second-round clash where he will bid to notch his first win over the American, having been defeated twice already this year.

Elsewhere, Fabio Fognini survived a second-set fightback to overcome compatriot Luciano Darderi 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-4 for his first win in Shanghai since 2019, where he made the quarter-finals. It is the Italian’s eleventh appearance at the event, and he will face Tommy Paul for a spot in the third round.

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Alcaraz beats Sinner in dramatic China Open final

Carlos Alcaraz comes from a set down to edge out world number one Jannik Sinner in a dramatic China Open final.

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Monfils earns clinical win in Shanghai opener

Gael Monfils delivered a vintage performance to kickstart his 2024 campaign at the Rolex Shanghai Masters on Wednesday.

The 38-year-old’s explosive game was on full display as he overpowered Bosnian Damir Dzumhur 6-4, 6-3 to advance to the second round. Monfils crushed 22 winners, according to Infosys ATP Stats, to extend their Lexus ATP Head2Head series lead against Dzumhur to 3-0.

Putting on a show 🤩@Gael_Monfils moves through to Round 2 in Shanghai.@SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/x4zfnueVBL

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 2, 2024

“It was not easy, Damir is a really fast player,” Monfils said after his one-hour and 21-minute victory. “It was a little bit slower with these conditions, so it helped him stay in the points. I couldn’t really power him off the court, but it also helped me sometimes. So, at the end of the day, I tried to focus on my game and use my serve and forehand as much as I can.”

Monfils, the No. 46 in the PIF ATP Rankings, is making his seventh appearance in Shanghai, where his most memorable run came in 2013 after he downed Roger Federer en route to the quarter-finals. He will face Sebastian Baez in the second round this year at the ATP Masters 1000 event.

Earlier, Arthur Cazaux proved too good for Marin Cilic as the 22-year-old outlasted the Croatian with some calculated shotmaking to advance. Cazaux clinched a 6-4, 6-4 victory in one hour and 36 minutes.

Cazaux, who set up a second-round clash with Tokyo finalist Ugo Humbert, was one of four French winners on day one in Shanghai.

Arthur Rinderknech overcame Reilly Opelka, 6-4, 7-6(5) in a battle of two of the biggest servers on the ATP Tour, before Alexandre Muller put on the afterburners to finish with a flourish against Luca Nardi. Muller rallied to a 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 win over the Italian. 

Botic van de Zandschulp also got his campaign underway with a sturdy 7-6(5), 6-2 win over Pablo Carreno Busta. The Dutchman was clinical on serve, winning 77 per cent of first-serve points and saving the sole break point he faced in the match.

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Sinner rallies to take first set vs. Alcaraz in Beijing

Jannik Sinner’s resilience has been on full display so far in the championship match at the China Open, where the World No. 1 leads his great rival Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(6).

Despite struggling to find his best level for much of the opening set, Sinner dug deep to recover a 2-5 deficit and clinch the first set in the ATP 500 title showdown via a tie-break. Alcaraz made a confident start in his bid for a third consecutive Lexus ATP Head2Head victory against Sinner but was unable to close out any of the three set points he earned.

What a turnaround! 🍿

From 5-2 down @janniksin ups his level to secure the first set 7-6(6) against Alcaraz!@ChinaOpen | #ChinaOpen pic.twitter.com/LtZUwEEK1o

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 2, 2024

Alcaraz frequently dictated play with his consistent, aggressive groundstrokes in the opening exchanges in Beijing, but was unable to serve out for the set at 5-3. He then had a set point on return at 6-5, 30/40, and two more in the tie-break, but Sinner’s ability to raise his level at key moments proved key.

If he can go on to seal victory, Sinner will become just the second man to successfully defend the title in the Chinese capital after record-six-time champion Novak Djokovic (2009-10, 2012-15). The Italian is chasing his 15th consecutive tour-level win following his triumphs at the Cincinnati Open and US Open.

Victory for Sinner would also reassert his dominance in the race for ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF honours. The 23-year-old is currently 2,990 points clear of second-placed Alcaraz in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin and would extend that comfortable lead to 3,160 points by lifting the Beijing trophy.

Alcaraz stepped on court in Beijing looking to extend his winning streak to nine matches. The Spaniard, who has responded superbly to his shock second-round US Open defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp, now seeks a comeback win against Sinner to become the first player to win an ATP 500 on hard courts, clay and grass in series history (since 2009).

[NEWSLETTER FORM]

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Bolelli/Vavassori reign supreme in Beijing

Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori made the perfect start to their all-important Asian swing with a dazzling run to the China Open title in Beijing.

The third seeds defeated Wimbledon champions Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara 4-6, 6-3, 10-5 in a thrilling final on Wednesday to capture their third ATP Tour title of 2024. Bolelli and Vavassori’s latest victory represented another big step in their qualification bid for the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin.

Sealed by the italian duo 🇮🇹@BolelliSimone and Vavassori defeat Patten/Heliovaara to become the 2024 #ChinaOpen Men’s Doubles Champions 🏆@ChinaOpen pic.twitter.com/3xfaxi89EU

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 2, 2024

“We played four really good matches [and] we really enjoyed our time here,” Bolelli said after lifting the trophy. “I’m very happy to share this title with Andrea, we’re having a really good season so we will try to enjoy it and keep going.”

Bolelli and Vavassori are third in the PIF ATP Live Doubles Teams Rankings, 465 points clear of fourth-placed Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson, and are in strong contention to make their maiden team appearance at the season-ending finale in Turin. 

The Italians were yet to drop a set in Beijing heading into the showdown match in the Chinese capital, but they found themselves up against the wall when their opponents surged into the lead. However, they held their nerve to save all four break points they faced in the second set, according to Infosys ATP Stats, to level the final 

In the match tie-break, Bolelli and Vavassori stood firm to surge to an unattainable lead, which they were able to close out, clinching victory in one hour and 32 minutes.

With their three tour-level titles in 2024, Patten and Heliovaara are seventh in the PIF ATP Live Doubles Race. The Wimbledon champions will seek strong results in Shanghai and over the coming weeks to secure their spot in a thrilling battle for Turin qualification.

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