Japan Open Archives - Tona Today

Jannik Sinner won the 21st title of his career by thrashing American teenager Learner Tien 6-2, 6-2 in the China Open final on Wednesday.

The Italian lifted the trophy for the second time on Beijing’s hard courts, having done so on his tournament debut in 2023, and is eyeing a return to world number one.

The 24-year-old’s only loss on Beijing’s centre Diamond Court has been to great rival and top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz, who won last year’s final in three gripping sets.

“A very, very special place for me,” said the victorious Sinner, a four-time Grand Slam champion and top seed this week.

Alcaraz was not defending his title in the Chinese capital and on Tuesday won the Japan Open in Tokyo.

Sinner broke immediately in the first set on the way to outclassing the 19-year-old Tien, who was in his first ATP final.

“Congrats to Jannik on a great week, another title, an honour to share the court with you today,” he told the world number two afterwards.

The world no. 52 got a rare chance to break in the second game of the second set but Sinner quickly retook control, ending a one-sided match with 10 aces over the 1h 12min final.

Tien would have been Beijing’s lowest-ranked champion in tournament history.

At 19 years and 9 months old, Tien would also have been the second-youngest American Tour champion since Andy Roddick in 2002.

As it was, he was never really in it, despite some flashes of his rich potential.

“You are showing throughout the whole season what a talent you are,” Sinner said in the aftermath.

Sinner’s emphatic win was his third title this season, after victories at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

Sinner may now have a chance to snatch back the top ranking before the season ends after Alcaraz pulled out of the Shanghai Masters injured on Tuesday.

The Spaniard took the world number one ranking from Sinner when he defeated the Italian in the U.S. Open final.

Sinner will be the top seed in Shanghai, which began this week. (JapanToday)

Carlos Alcaraz admitted his ankle injury had worried him and was on his mind as he beat Belgium’s Zizou Bergs 6-4, 6-3 at the Japan Open on Saturday.

The world number one hurt himself two days earlier in his opening match in Tokyo, crumpling to the ground before playing on with his ankle heavily strapped.

The Spaniard was left sweating on his fitness but he showed no evidence of discomfort as he returned to the court to beat world number 45 Bergs in front of an adoring Japanese crowd.

Alcaraz got the job done in an hour and 20 minutes and will face American Brandon Nakashima in the quarterfinals on Sunday.

“I was a bit worried before the match so I just wanted to warm up and let’s see how it’s going to feel,” Alcaraz said.

“I didn’t feel anything in the ankle, so after the warm-up I decided I can go and I can play.”

Alcaraz took to the court with white strapping visible underneath the sock on his left ankle.

He did not appear to be restricted in his movement but he limped briefly after chasing a shot that won Bergs a break early in the first set.

“In some movements I’m scared about going crazy so most of the time I take it a little easy,” he said.

“Sometimes I feel a little bit the ankle, which I would say is normal.”

Alcaraz is playing in Japan for the first time and delighted the crowd with a series of leaping forehand winners, claiming the first set despite having his service broken twice.

His service was broken three times overall and he blamed his injury for his lack of accuracy.

“I think because my thoughts were on the ankle, I forgot about doing a smooth movement, smooth serve,” he said.

Alcaraz raced into an early lead in the second set but Bergs made him work hard for the victory with a gritty performance.

Alcaraz sealed the deal with a thumping forehand at the net that Bergs could not return into play.

Alcaraz will look to book his place in the semi-final when he faces world number 33 Nakashima, who beat Hungarian qualifier Marton Fucsovics 7-5, 6-3.

“I’m still taking care of the ankle and I will try to feel as good as today or even better,” said Alcaraz.

“Tomorrow is going be a great challenge that I’m really excited about, and I’m ready for that.”

Denmark’s number three seed Holger Rune also advanced, beating American qualifier Ethan Quinn 6-4, 6-2. (JapanToday)

Tag: Japan Open

Sinner thrashes Tien to win China Open for 21st title

Alcaraz dispels injury fears to reach Japan Open quarterfinals