By Alberto Amalfi | @Tennis_Now | Friday, October 6, 2023
Jannik Sinner breakthrough Beijing final victory did not surprise world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz.
Winless in six prior meetings vs. Daniil Medvedev, Sinner showed brilliant ball-striking beating Medvedev 7-6(2), 7-6(2) in the Beijing final to capture his third title of the season.
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Wimbledon winner Alcaraz, who lost to Sinner in a straight-sets semifinal, said he expected Sinner to win Beijing for one simple reason: the Italian's level was "unbelievable."
"I wasn't surprised at all," Alcaraz told the media in Shanghai. "I know the capacity of Jannik. I know his level. He's one of the best in the world right now and he can beat anyone.
"I'm not surprised about the final. I know that he lost six times in a row against Daniil, you know, but sometimes you can be a better player because of that, you know, to study, you know, the opponent game and what he did wrong in the previous matches to be better and to be able to beat him this time."
Alcaraz, who out-dueled Sinner in a classic 2022 US Open quarterfinal en route to his maiden major title at the US Open, said Sinner was playing at a phenomenal level in Beijing.
"So really happy for him, but honestly, I expect him to win," Alcaraz said. "Honestly, because the level that he was playing was unbelievable."
Photo credit: Internazionali BNL d'Italia Facebook