ATP: Alcaraz and Fils edge thrillers

Alcaraz vs Sinner epic

It's a rivalry - coated in a close friendship and the utmost respect - that will enlighten the tennis world for many, many years to come. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have catapulted men's tennis to a new era following the ultra-dominant 'Big Three' – sharing all four Grand Slams in 2024 - and their latest tussle was a riveting rollercoaster.

The highlight reel points kept coming as the Spaniard prevailed 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3) in the Beijing Open final on Wednesday.

The defence, the power play, dynamic movement, the finesse, was a treat to watch as Alcaraz inflicted Sinner's first defeat in a final this season (6-1) over three hours and 21 minutes on court.

"I think it's a really good thing for tennis because we always show a really intense match, great points, great rallies," said world No.2 Alcaraz, who rattled off seven successive points from 0-3 down in the decisive tie-break.

 "I think for the people who don't watch tennis, probably thanks to these kind of matches, they’ll start to watch tennis or even practice it. I think it is pretty good."

Alcaraz hailed world No.1 Sinner as still the best player in the world stating: "He is for me. The level he’s playing, it’s unbelievable, really high quality of tennis physically, mentally. He’s a beast."

Saying that, the Spaniard now leads this explosive rivalry 6-4, having clinched victory in all three 2024 encounters at Indian Wells, Roland-Garros and in China. Sinner will want to strike back next.

Over to the Italian to have his say. The Australian Open and US Open champion placed this firecracker amongst his best career matches, despite the last-gasp defeat.

 "For sure it's in the top three, 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," stated Sinner.

 "But I'm always happy to make new experiences, trying to grow. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. That's how this sport is."

During his media duties Alcaraz revealed he had recaptured his spark, rebounding from under par, out of character early exits in Cincinnati and the US Open.

 "It was a really difficult moment on the court, off the court, the last two months," said Alcaraz, grateful to his team for picking him up. "I got motivated again. I really wanted to travel, to play tournaments again. Probably after the American swing, I was a little bit down, that I didn't want to touch a racket for a while."

"After that we talked a lot during those days, knowing that I have to be back practicing, be stronger physically, be stronger mentally just to overcome on 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."

Sinner and Alcaraz have jetted to the Shanghai Masters where they're joined by 24-time major winner Novak Djokovic in the draw.

The four-time Shanghai champion is back in competitive action for the first time since late August at the US Open. Can the Serbian become the third man in the Open Era to lift 100 tour-level titles?

Fils fights back from the brink

There were also gladiatorial heroics at the Tokyo Open as Arthur Fils fended off championship point to collect his second ATP 500 trophy of the season.

The Frenchman pipped his countryman Ugo Humbert 5-7, 7-6(6), 6-3 in a pulsating match to cap an exhausting week in Japan. Prior to the final, the world No.21 outgunned three Top 20 talents in the shape of top seed Taylor Fritz, reigning champion Ben Shelton and Holger Rune in a collection of bruising sets.

"Honestly, I don’t know how I did it," said Fils, who struggled with a left leg injury facing Humbert on Tuesday. "After 5-all in the first, I was feeling dead on the court. He was playing unbelievable shots… Everything in tennis can turn in only one second, and it turned."

"I’m very happy about the tennis I’m producing. I’m working a lot and trying to build my tennis. I still have to improve but it’s cool."

Elite bringing it in Beijing

Back to China and it’s the WTA's superstar's turn to dazzle in Beijing. World No.2 Aryna Sabalenka is leading the charge, gearing up for a popcorn quarter-final clash with Karolina Muchova. Remember in 2023, the Czech outmanoeuvred Sabalenka in three-set bouts at both Roland-Garros and Cincinnati. On the flip side, Sabalenka has won her past 15 matches.

"It’s all about the balance," said Sabalenka, seeking a third consecutive Beijing crown. "I had a really great time off after US Open. That’s really important. That helped me to recharge and reset. I’m happy to be playing at my highest level."