Sinner thrashes Tien to win China Open for 21st title

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

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Jannik Sinner celebrates with the trophy in Beijing.REUTERS

(REUTERS)

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 No.1.

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.