Beijing semifinal drama delivers a tense three-set thriller
In a gripping Beijing semifinal, two elite men’s players battled for a place in the final. The match unfolded as a test of endurance, tactical variety, and mental resolve, with the Italian youngster Jannik Sinner overcoming Australian Alex de Minaur by a scoreline of 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 after 2 hours and 20 minutes. Sinner’s victory advances him to a third consecutive final in Beijing and sets up a showdown against the winner of the other semifinal between Daniil Medvedev and a Chinese opponent.
First set: Sinner asserts control
The opening set leaned in favor of Sinner, who found his rhythm early and used his all-court game to pressure De Minaur on serve. A pivotal moment came when the Italian cracked a momentum-shifting serve-and-volley sequence and closed the set with a reliable first or second serve, sealing it 6-3 after a brisk 40 minutes. A notable moment in the frame was Sinner’s continued accuracy on serve, including a seventh ace that underscored his ability to mix pace and placement and keep De Minaur on the defensive.
Second set: De Minaur fights back, breaks Sinner
The comeback began in the second set. De Minaur found a gear that had been missing in the opener, resisting Sinner’s rhythm and capitalizing on crucial moments. He battled through service games, and after a tense run with no-room-for-error tennis, he drew level by taking the set 6-4. The set featured a key turning point when a rare double fault by De Minaur, followed by disciplined ball-striking from Sinner, briefly shifted the balance, but it was the Australian who found the edge when it mattered, turning the second set in his favor and forcing a deciding frame.
Third set: Sinner’s decisive surge
In the deciding set, Sinner rediscovered the aggressive blend that defined his earlier rounds. He surged to a 4-0 lead, mixing serves with assertive groundstrokes and a serve-and-volley dash that kept De Minaur on the back foot. The Italian converted a critical break to go 3-0 and never looked back, eventually closing out the set 6-2. The third set also carried a hint of physical strain for Sinner—specifically a brief moment of concern around his right glute—but he managed to sustain the level required to complete the win and advance to the final after a tense, hard-fought affair.
What’s at stake and what comes next
With this win, Sinner secures his third straight final appearance in Beijing, underscoring his strong form on this tournament’s surface and in this city. He will face the winner of the Medvedev-Tien semifinal, with a coveted title and valuable ATP points on the line. For De Minaur, the performance highlighted his resilience and ability to elevate his game when pushed, even as he exits the tournament with positives to take forward into the rest of the season.
Key takeaways
– Sinner’s all-court versatility and solid serving anchored the victory, even as De Minaur threatened to disrupt the rhythm.
– The match tested Sinner’s fitness and mental toughness, particularly in the second set when he faced a set-back.
– Beijing continues to be a favorable stage for Sinner, who now eyes a third consecutive final in the city.
