Sonay Kartal stuns Mirra Andreeva to claim career-best win and reach China Open quarter-finals

Sonay Kartal claimed the biggest win of her career by ranking after taking down World No 5 Mirra Andreeva in three sets to reach the quarter-finals of the China Open in Beijing.

Kartal defeated the 18-year-old Andreeva 7-5 2-6 7-5 to secure her first win over a top-10 opponent, a result that will see her move above Katie Boulter in the rankings and become the British No 2 behind Emma Raducanu.

The 23-year-old Kartal is through to her first WTA 1000 quarter-final following runs to the last-16 of Wimbledon and Indian Wells this season and will play the 26th seed Linda Noskova for a place in the semi-finals.

Jamie Braidwood1 October 2025 12:14

Jannik Sinner beats Learner Tien in Beijing to claim first title since Wimbledon

Jannik Sinner swatted aside Learner Tien to win his first title since Wimbledon at the China Open

The Italian regained the trophy he lost to Carlos Alcaraz last year with a 6-2 6-2 victory over 19-year-old American Tien, who was playing in his first ATP Tour final.

It is Sinner’s first title on the regular tour this season, with the 24-year-old adding to his Australian Open and Wimbledon crowns a day after Alcaraz lifted his eighth trophy of the season at the Japan Open.

Jamie Braidwood1 October 2025 09:47

How the race for year-end No 1 is shaping up

After lifting the China Open title, Jannik Sinner departs Beijing trailing Carlos Alcaraz by 2,590 points in the race for the year-end No 1.

But with Alcaraz not playing at the Shanghai Masters, Sinner has the chance to cut a huge 1,000 points from the Spaniard’s lead – if he defends his title.

Sinner is then signed up to play in the ATP 500 event in Vienna, where he will be top seed, before the Paris Masters at the end of October into the start of November.

Jamie Braidwood1 October 2025 09:25

Jannik Sinner aiming to ‘improve and push’ over final weeks of the season

Jannik Sinner is now a two-time champion in Beijing after reclaiming the title he first won in 2023 by beating Daniil Medvedev. He says it is a “special” place for him.

Sinner adds: “I would like to start with Learner. You are showing throughout the season what a talent you are. Keep going. Hopefully we can have other moments like this in the future.”

Sinner thanks his team and says: “We will try to improve and push as much as we can. I’m happy to share this trophy with you.”

Sinner finishes his speech by adding that he would like to return to Beijing in 2026 – and then he gets his hands on a huge golden trophy.

(Getty Images)

Jamie Braidwood1 October 2025 08:49

Learner Tien still ‘happy’ with China Open despite defeat in final

It’s been an impressive week for Learner Tien, who is set for a career-high ranking of 36th in the world after notching wins over Daniil Medvedev and Lorenzo Musetti to reach his his ATP Tour final.

“It’s been a great week. I’ve loved it here and I’m trying to take everything in.

“I’m happy [despite the result]. Congrats to Jannik on a great week, another title. It was great to share the court with you.”

Jamie Braidwood1 October 2025 08:45

Jannik Sinner brushes Learner Tien aside on his first ATP Tour final

A 6-2 6-2 scoreline is tough on Learner Tien, who had some decent moments in the second second but ultimately lost four games in a row to lose the match.

His serve had to be perfect to handle the firepower of Sinner’s return but it gave up too many double faults. Sinner was also faultless when facing break points.

(REUTERS)

Jamie Braidwood1 October 2025 08:37

Jannik Sinner heads to Shanghai favourite for title

Jannik Sinner has now won 21 of his 30 ATP Tour finals, with the Italian getting back to winning ways after defeats to Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open final and his retirement in Cincinnati.

He also extends his record on hard-courts this season to 23-2, with those two defeats coming to Alcaraz. He heads to the Shanghai Masters as the clear favourite, with Alcaraz withdrawing from the tournament yesterday.

Jamie Braidwood1 October 2025 08:32

GAME, SET AND MATCH! Jannik Sinner 6-2 6-2 Learner Tien

Sinner’s serve continues to fire and he marches into a 40-0 lead to bring up three Championship points.

Tien saves the first as he digs in on the rally, and then blasts a forehand winner down the line after working himself into the point!

Sinner still has a third match point – though can’t find a first serve – but he produces devastating accuracy on the second!

He pushes Tien out wide and into the miss on the forehand – and there’s a big fist-pump and satisfied look on Sinner’s face as he wins 6-2 6-2.

(REUTERS)

Jamie Braidwood1 October 2025 08:25

BREAK! *Jannik Sinner 6-2 5-2 Learner Tien

Double-faults have been a huge problem for Tien all match, with the American having to go big on the second serve to avoid Sinner blasting him off the court.

He makes a crucial one on 30-15 up, giving Sinner a chance, and the Italian takes full advantage with a stunning backhand winner down the line to bring up break point.

Sinner dials in to win the exchange and moves a game away from the title.

Jamie Braidwood1 October 2025 08:20

Jannik Sinner 6-2 4-2 Learner Tien*

It’s deja vu for Tien. He works a break-point opportunity with a well constructed point and heavy forehand winner, but Sinner immediately shuts the door with three consecutive first-serves. Tien got the return in play on the break point, but Sinner dominated the rally from there.

Jamie Braidwood1 October 2025 08:15