Jannik Sinner made to ‘fight’ as he sets up Alex de Minaur clash at China Open
Jannik Sinner showed his battling qualities to reach the China Open semi-finals with a 6-1 7-5 victory over Hungarian Fabian Marozsan, as the Italian stepped up his bid to narrow the gap on world number one Carlos Alcaraz.
Sinner lost the top ranking after surrendering his US Open crown to the Spaniard this month but has responded well to the setback in Beijing, claiming a seventh semi-final spot in the eight tournaments he has played this year.
Jamie Braidwood29 September 2025 14:52
Carlos Alcaraz overcomes slow start to defeat Casper Ruud and reach Japan Open final
World number one Carlos Alcaraz recovered from a slow start to beat Casper Ruud 3-6 6-3 6-4 and reach the Japan Open final where he will meet second seed Taylor Fritz with the chance to claim his eighth title of the year.
Alcaraz will also be seeking revenge in Tuesday’s clash in Tokyo after a shock defeat by Fritz at the Laver Cup in San Francisco this month, his first loss to the American in four career meetings.
Jamie Braidwood29 September 2025 13:52
Emma Raducanu suffers heartbreaking China Open defeat as familiar pattern emerges
Emma Raducanu spurned match points for the second week in a row as the British No 1 fell to a three-set defeat to Jessica Pegula at the China Open in Beijing.
Raducanu looked to be surging to an impressive win over the World No 7 Pegula as she led 5-2 in the second-set tiebreak, having taken the first set with some eye-catching play.
But mistakes from the 22-year-old opened the door for Pegula to stay alive and she could not take any of her three match points, as the fifth seed eventually prevailed 11-9 to force the decider.
From there, the American won six games in a row to race to the finish line and wrap up a battling 3-6 7-6 (11-9) 6-0 win in two hours and 23 minutes.
Jamie Braidwood29 September 2025 12:05
Raducanu’s losing run against top-10 opponents continues
That’s now nine defeats in a row for Raducanu against top-10 players. She is getting closer, but this was a golden opportunity to record a big win today and it slipped through her fingers.
vs Pegula (7), China Open, 3-6 7-6 (11-9) 6-0
vs Rybakina (10), US Open, 1-6 1-2
vs Sabalenka (1), Cincinnati, 6-7 6-3 6-7
vs Anisimova (7), Montreal, 2-6 1-6
vs Sabalenka (1), Wimbledon, 6-7 4-6
vs Zheng (5), Queens, 2-6, 4-6
vs Swiatek (5), French Open, 1-6 2-6
vs Gauff (2), Italian Open, 1-6 2-6
vs Pegula (4), Miami Open, 4-6 7-6 2-6
vs Navarro (8), Miami Open, 7-6 2-6 7-6
vs Swiatek (2), Australian Open, 1-6 0-6
(AP)
Jamie Braidwood29 September 2025 11:30
Jessica Pegula reacts to victory
“That was a crazy match,” says Jessica Pegula after saving those three match points to reach the last-16 of the China Open.
“It was a lot of fun. That was really intense but I got myself back into the tiebreak. When she hit the double-fault I knew I was playing well and it was right there. I got a bit lucky when I hit the backhand winners. But I just tried to keep fighting for as long as I could.”
(REUTERS)
Jamie Braidwood29 September 2025 11:26
An absolute heartbreaker.
Raducanu had three match points in the second-set tiebreak but the fight vanished after Pegula stayed alive to force the third set.
The American wraps up the match by winning the third-set in rapid fashion. Raducanu saved the first match point as she put all of her frustration into a backhand winner.
But Raducanu then made a couple of big misses and Pegula wraps up a gutsy win.
But it’s a sickener for Raducanu, who quickly heads off court.
Jamie Braidwood29 September 2025 11:22
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-7 0-5 Jessica Pegula
A flash from Raducanu as she lands a forehand winner but Pegula is too solid in the next rally and a miss from Raducanu brings up break point.
Raducanu goes wide on the forehand and Pegula gets the third break of serve.
She’ll serve for the match next. Ouch.
(AP)
Jamie Braidwood29 September 2025 11:15
*Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-7 0-4 Jessica Pegula
Raducanu goes for a big forehand return but hits it long.
Pegula slams an ace to move 4-0 ahead. This match has completely shifted.
Jamie Braidwood29 September 2025 11:11
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-7 0-3 Jessica Pegula*
The Beijing crowd looks to respond as Raducanu wins a point with a forehand winner.
But the energy has drained out of Raducanu and she slumps back to her set after going a double-break down in the third.
Jamie Braidwood29 September 2025 11:08
*Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-7 0-2 Jessica Pegula
Pegula has also raised her level and is playing some superb stuff to start the third set. With power and touch, she’s mixing it up to brush Raducanu aside.
A crunching backhand winner moves Pegula 2-0 up in the third.
(AFP via Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood29 September 2025 11:04