Beijing
\n Sinner kickstarts Beijing redemption run with Cilic win<\/p>\n
World No. 2 sets Atmane rematch at Chinese ATP 500<\/p>\n
September 25, 2025<\/p>\n
China Open <\/p>\n
Jannik Sinner improves to 10-1 at the China Open in Beijing.
\n By Jerome Coombe<\/p>\n
Jannik Sinner<\/a> made a quick start in his bid to reclaim the China Open<\/a> trophy in Beijing, where he powered past two-time finalist Marin Cilic<\/a> 6-2, 6-2.<\/p>\n Competing for the first time since his US Open<\/a> final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz<\/a>, with which he also ceded the No. 1 spot in the PIF ATP Rankings, Sinner bounced back in emphatic fashion. The 24-year-old Italian, who triumphed on his Beijing debut in 2023 and reached last year\u2019s final, saved the only break point he faced upon return to the Chinese ATP 500 event, according to Infosys ATP Stats.<\/p>\n Starting off STRONG! \ud83d\udcaa@janniksin<\/a> defeats Cilic 6-2 6-2 and advances into Round 2 in Beijing@chinaopen<\/a> | #2025ChinaOpen<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/8W6A9G9003<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 ATP Tour (@atptour) September 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI try to put a lot of concentration into the first-round matches, because I know that many things can go wrong,\u201d said Sinner, who has won his past 27 opening-round matches since Cincinnati in 2023. \u201cAfter you usually find your rhythm, your pace, the speed of the courts much better. I try to prepare myself in the best possible way. I came here quite early in order to feel the conditions.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m very happy to deliver this kind of performance today. Marin is a very tough player to play against, his peak is quite high. I managed to break him quite early in both sets, which gave me the confidence to keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n Sinner will aim to keep pace in his battle with rival Alcaraz for ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF honours across the remaining months of the season. He trails the Spaniard, who is competing in Tokyo, by 2,590 points in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin.<\/p>\n Sinner will next face Terence Atmane<\/a> for the second time in as many months. The French qualifier earlier defeated Zhang Zhizhen<\/a> for his first tour-level win since his surprise run to the semi-finals in Cincinnati, where he was halted by Sinner in the pair\u2019s first Lexus ATP Head2Head clash.<\/p>\n You May Also Like: Jannik Sinner’s Beijing journey: Triumph, heartbreak & unfinished business <\/a><\/p>\n Earlier on Day in 1 the Chinese capital, Alexandre Muller<\/a> sprang an early upset by rallying past Karen Khachanov<\/a> 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 for his first Top 10 win on hard courts and third overall (3-9). He will next play Fabian Marozsan<\/a>, who ousted Benjamin Bonzi<\/a> 7-6(1), 6-3 on his Beijing debut.<\/p>\n Alejandro Davidovich Fokina<\/a> also booked his spot in the second round with a clinical 6-1, 6-3 victory over Camilo Ugo Carabelli<\/a>. The Spaniard, who hit 21 winners, including six aces, awaits eighth seed Daniil Medvedev<\/a> or Cameron Norrie<\/a> next in Beijing.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n