Beijing Final Bid: Sinner Edges De Minaur in a Three-Set Thriller
Jannik Sinner advanced to the Beijing final after a grueling semifinal against Alex de Minaur, sealing a 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 victory in 2 hours and 20 minutes. The match tested his resilience and tactical versatility as he navigated a momentary rough patch and a minor concern about his right leg before reasserting control late in the decider. Sinner’s path to a third consecutive Beijing final now sets him up to face the winner of the other semifinal between Daniil Medvedev and Tièn.
First set: Sinner sets the tone with variety and accuracy
From the opening rallies, Sinner dictated the tempo, mixing power from the baseline with clever angles that kept De Minaur off balance. The Italian found a strong rhythm on serve and on returns, translating pressure into the first-set 6-3 victory. Across the frame, Sinner tallied an impressive number of aces—an indicator of his aggressive serving stance that would become a recurring theme as the match progressed. He also demonstrated a willingness to shift gears when needed, easing off pace when De Minaur looked to seize momentum mid-rally.
Second set: De Minaur finds an answer, levels the match
The second set carried a different mood. De Minaur tightened his defense, moved the ball around the court with more purpose, and found opportunities to strike early. A key moment arrived when he delivered his first double fault of the match, signaling a tense shift but not an outright surrender. He steadied his footing and capitalized on several decisive rallies, taking the set 6-4 to level the match. The Australian’s resilience was evident as he converted on crucial points and forced Sinner into more movement and longer exchanges than in the opener.
Third set: Serve-and-volley seals the win for Sinner
In the decider, Sinner shifted gears again, leaning into a more aggressive serve-and-volley plan that paid immediate dividends. He surged to a rapid 4-0 lead in the third, stringing together a sequence of aces and well-placed returns that left De Minaur chasing. The tactical change—reintroducing the net with confidence—proved pivotal as Sinner moved decisively toward the finish. He extended the advantage further to 5-2, then closed at 6-2 after another clean service game. The third set showcased Sinner’s capacity to adapt on the fly and finish strongly when momentum is on his side.
Injury note and mental edge
Early in the match, Sinner appeared to move with some hesitation on his right leg, raising concerns of a possible cramp. He soon recovered his balance and kept pressing, illustrating the mental toughness that characterizes his bigger matches. De Minaur, who fought hard in every point and remained competitive in longer rallies, was unable to prevent the late surge as Sinner regained his best form in the deciding set.
What this means for Beijing and beyond
With the win, Sinner reaches his third consecutive Beijing final, a testament to his consistency on this stage. He will face the winner of Medvedev versus Tièn in a bid to clinch a title that could further lift his ranking and confidence heading into the late-season swing. The match also highlighted Sinner’s evolving in-match adaptability—from baseline grinding to a more assertive net game when situations demand it. The tactical flexibility shown in this semifinal could be a blueprint for navigating high-stakes clashes as the calendar moves toward the end of the season.
