Jannik Sinner will compete in his 30th ATP final in Beijing. World no. 2 defeated Alex de Minaur 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in two hours and 20 minutes in the semi-final to remain on the title course.
The Italian did ot look at his best in the closing stages of the duel, shaking out his left leg and grimacing. However, Jannik should be ready for Wednesday's final against Learnen Tien.
Sinner revealed that he has been dealing with diarrhea for a few days. Thus, he lost some fluid and struggled a bit phyiscally. Still, world no. 2 should be ready to chase the trophy against the young American.
Despite not playing at his best in the opening four matches, Jannik will seek his second Beijing trophy within three years. World no. 2 lost the second set against the Aussie but conntroled the pace in the decider.
Thus, Sinner bested de Minaur for the 11th time in as many encounters! The Italian did a marvelous job in defending 11 of 12 break points. He generated seven break chances and seized three to emerge at the top.
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The top seed landed 28 winners and sprayed 39 unforced errors. Still, he hit more service winners than his rival and outplayed him from the baseline, knowing everything about Alex's patterns and solving them without issues.
The 2023 champion made a reliable start and clinched a break at love in game six with a forehand down the line return winner. World no. 2 saved two break points in the seventh game with booming serves and held for 5-2 with another.
The favorite served for the opener at 5-3 and landed a powerful serve on a set point to clinch the first part of the duel in 39 minutes. De Minaur had to dig deep in the third game of the second set.
He saved two break points and wasted three opportunities on the return in game six. The Aussie denied two break points in the seventh game and generated three chances on the return at 4-3.
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World no. 2 saved them with winners and held for 4-4 and more drama. De Minaur provided a fine hold in game nine for 5-4 and created a set point on the return in the next one after Sinner's backhand mistake.
Alex attacked and fired a forehand down the line winner to clinch the set 6-4 and force a decider after an hour and 39 minutes. Jannik recovered his strokes and landed a backhand down the line winner in the first game of the final set for a break at love.
Sinner faced three break points in the second game and erased them to bring the game home and move 2-0 in front. The Italian created break chances in the third game with a backhand winner and welcomed the rival's mistake for another break and a 3-0 advantage.
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World no. 2 painted a forehand down the line winner in the fourth game for a break at love and a 4-0 lead. Jannik closed the seventh game for 5-1 and hit a service winner on a match point at 5-2 for a place in the title clash.
"It's nothing serious. I had diarrhea for the past few days and lost some fluid, but I feel fine. I also had a bit of tension. The mix of tension and the past few days was not easy. However, I feel good now.
I'm not worried about tomorrow. Everything is fine," Jannik Sinner said.
