Jannik Sinner-Carlos Alcaraz, the great rivalry lives a new chapter at a distance
The great challenge between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the two strongest tennis players on the circuit according to not only the rankings but also the overall results of this season, will be renewed in these first days of autumn at a distance, although both friends-rivals are in Asia: Sinner will in fact be in Beijing for the China Open, Alcaraz will instead be in Tokyo for the Japan Open.
The two outfielders already know the names of the players with whom they will cross arms in their tournament debut: Sinner will face Croatian Marin Cilic, one of the circuit’s veterans, also previously a Top 3 ranked player. Alcaraz, on the other hand, will play against Argentina’s Sebastian Baez, number 41 in the world rankings.
For Sinner, the Croatian opponent represents an intriguing challenge: Cilic, despite 36 years on his shoulders, is still capable of delivering strong performances, and he recently spoke about Sinner and Alcaraz of all people, calling them “special”. The 2014 U.S. Open winner will now have a chance to test the ’Italian on the court, although the’only precedent smiles on the Italian. It should be recalled that Sinner won the China Open in 2024, after losing in the final the year before to Alcaraz himself.
The South Tyrolean arrives in Beijing after two weeks of rest following the disappointment of losing in the US Open final to the Spaniard. The world No. 2 showed up in China with a desire to have fun and enjoy himself, as demonstrated during practice when he performed real magic, loading the effect ball and landing it directly in the pocket of his shorts, triggering applause from the audience in attendance.
As for Alcaraz, the world No. 1 comes to Tokyo after intermittent performances in the Laver Cup. After a surprising loss to Taylor Fritz, the Spaniard returned to his own by winning both the doubles paired with Casper Ruud and the singles against Francisco Cerundolo with a clear 6-2, 6-1. The Murcian had admitted he had difficulty seeing the ball during the match he lost to Fritz.
