World no. 1 Jannik Sinner is off to a winning start at the ATP 500 event in Beijing. The defending champion played his first match since conquering the US Open crown, toppling Nicolas Jarry 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 in an hour and 55 minutes, extending his winning streak at the ATP 500 level to 21. The world’s best player could not find the range on the return in the opening set. He recovered his game in set number two, delivering a single break and leaving his rival behind with a strong performance in the decider, celebrating his 56th victory of the season. Both players hit almost 30 service winners, and the Italian tamed his strokes more efficiently, landing 14 winners and unforced errors. The Chilean attacked and landed 26 direct points and 41 mistakes, losing ground from the baseline, especially in the decider. Jannik dropped only eight points after landing in the first serve. He defended the second serve nicely and denied four of five break points, keeping the pressure on his opponent after the opener.
Jannik Sinner, Beijing 2024© Stream screenshot
Jannik Sinner is off to a winning start in Beijing.
Nicolas struggled to find the first serve after the opening set, and his second serve let him down completely, winning only five points and suffering four breaks from eight chances presented to world no. 1, three in the decider. They served well in the opening six games of the encounter, locking the result at 3-3. Jarry cracked a forehand crosscourt winner in the seventh game, generating two break points and drawing the rival’s error on the second, securing a break and moving 4-3 in front. The lower-ranked player served for the opener in game ten and converted the second set point with an ace, building a 6-4 advantage after 39 minutes.
Nicolas Jarry, Beijing 2024© Stream screenshot
Jannik raised his level and served well in the second set, keeping the pressure on the other side. The defending champion notched an early break in game two after Nicolas’ loose forehand. The Italian served well in the remaining games, bringing the set home with a service winner at 5-3 and leveling the overall score after an hour and 21 minutes. Jarry experienced a break in the first game of the final set, and Sinner confirmed it with two fine holds in games two and four, opening a 3-1 advantage. The Italian made another push on the return in game five, painting a forehand down the line winner and extending the gap. World no. 1 saved three break points in the sixth game, moving 5-1 up and forcing his rival to serve to stay in the match. Jannik earned two match points and converted the second after Nicolas’ loose forehand, securing another break and moving into the second round.