World no. 1 Jannik Sinner fights back to beat Nicolas Jarry in Beijing opener

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner kicked off his ATP 500 Beijing campaign with a hard-fought victory, overcoming a tough challenge from Chile's Nicolas Jarry. The defending champion, playing his first match since his US Open triumph, battled through a shaky start to defeat Jarry 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 in a match that lasted one hour and 55 minutes.

The win extended Sinner’s impressive unbeaten streak at the ATP 500 level to 21 matches, demonstrating his resilience after dropping the first set. The Italian star struggled to find his rhythm early on, especially with his returns, allowing Jarry to capitalize and gain the upper hand. However, Sinner's remarkable composure saw him recover in the second set, delivering a timely break before powering through in the decisive set.

Both players showcased powerful serving, collectively hitting nearly 30 service winners. Nicolas Jarry's aggressive style was evident as he tallied 26 direct winners, but his 41 unforced errors cost him the match. In contrast, Sinner remained more controlled, hitting 14 winners with a balanced game, minimizing his own mistakes.

Sinner continues to rise in the 2024 season!

The match started evenly, with both players holding serve through the first six games. However, Jarry broke through in the seventh game with a stunning forehand crosscourt winner, securing the only break of the first set. He then served out the set with an ace, claiming it 6-4.

Jannik Sinner responded strongly in the second set, raising his game to break Jarry’s serve early and maintaining control with solid service games. The Italian closed out the set 6-3, levelling the match and setting up a decisive third set.

In the final set, Sinner took command, breaking Jarry in the opening game and consolidating the advantage with ease. Another break in the fifth game gave Sinner a comfortable 4-1 lead. Despite facing three break points in the sixth game, Sinner saved them all, further asserting his dominance. With two match points at 5-1, Sinner secured the win after Jarry's forehand error, moving confidently into the second round.

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The victory marks Sinner’s 56th win of the season, keeping him in top form as he continues his quest for more titles in Beijing. Despite the early scare, Sinner’s ability to bounce back under pressure shows why he’s the world’s best player.