2024 Beijing Day 8: Sinner v Alcaraz Final; Sabalenka v Keys, Osaka Retires To Gauff

The new best rivalry in tennis is Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, and Wednesday in Beijing to two superstars will collide for a 10th time and for the China Open title.

Sinner is the world No. 1 and won Beijing last year and he’s won his last 15, but Alcaraz leads the Italian 5-4 winning the last two this year at Indian Wells and at the French Open, with both going the distance.

“My season is going very, very good and playing finals is always a great moment,” Sinner told the ATP. “I just hope tomorrow is going to be a good match from both of us.”

Alcaraz just cruised past Daniil Medvedev to reach the final. He’s won his last eight.

“I really like the battles,” Alcaraz said. “The toughest matches facing the best players in the world.”

In the women’s event, the big showdown between Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka ended in a dud. Osaka stormed out taking the first set, had a look in the second but a back injury ender her hopes. Gauff took the second and then Osaka retired from the match.

“I wasn’t sure if it was her hip or back, I just knew that towards the end she could barely jump on her serve,” Gauff said, “so I knew that it was something that, in the moment, was probably bad but hopefully it’s something that’s not a long-term thing.”

Gauff will meet qualifier Yulia Starodubtseva. US Open finalist Jessica Pegula fell to Paula Badosa.

On Wednesday, gold medalist Qinwen Zheng returns to take on Amanda Anisimova. And Aryna Sabalenka takes on American Madison Keys for a quarterfinal spot.