Sinner serves a repeat in Beijing, beats Tien to win 2025 China Open

Jannik Sinner reigns supreme in Beijing once again.

The World No. 2 defeated American teenager Learner Tien 6-2, 6-2 in the 2025 China Open final on Wednesday, Oct. 1, on the Diamond Court. The Italian lifted the trophy in Beijing for the second time in three years after a dominant week, dropping just two sets— one against qualifier Terrence Atmane and the other to No. 3 seed Alex De Minaur.

For Sinner, the victory continues his strong record in Beijing. He now owns two China Open titles in three years, having won in 2023 and finished runner up to current World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in 2024. It also marks his first trophy since Wimbledon in July.

The championship match was one-sided from the start. Tien flashed moments of brilliance in his first career ATP Tour final, striking sharp groundstrokes that drew applause from the crowd, but Sinner controlled the contest with his heavy serve and composure. Playing in his ninth straight hard-court final, Sinner conceded just one break point and capitalized on Tien’s repeated double faults in key moments.

Sinner wasted no time in the opening set, breaking Tien in the first game with a pair of forehand winners to race to a 3-1 lead. He added another break in the fifth game after Tien double-faulted, sealing it with an overhead winner to wrap up the first set 6-2.

The second set followed a similar script. Tien earned one break point in the second game, but Sinner erased it with a forehand winner. At 2-2, the American faltered again, committing two costly double faults in the fifth game to give Sinner the decisive break. The top seed served out the match to secure his 21st career title.

Afterward, Sinner credited both the fans and the city for the role the China Open has played in his career.

“I come back here, and winning again, it's very nice,” Sinner said. “The support has been amazing since day one. Seeing a packed stadium for the final, it’s amazing. The crowd was very nice.”

He also mentioned the 2023 China Open as a pivotal milestone. He was 22 years old and ranked No. 7 when he toppled Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev to take the title two years ago.

“When you win again a title where you won already, it’s a very special place,” he said. “It was for sure a couple of years ago a turning point for my career, playing some great tennis against great opponents. This I will always remember.”

Tien told China Open on Tuesday that he viewed facing Sinner as an exciting opportunity and emphasized that his goal was to go out and enjoy the moment as much as possible.

“I thought he served well today,” Tien said in a press conference after the match. “Just getting a lot of free points on his serve. I couldn't really get a great read…. I just think the pressure he puts on you point to point is really tough.”

Tien’s run was historic despite the loss. The 19-year-old entered the tournament as the first alternate, slipping into the main draw due to player withdrawals. He became the youngest man to reach the China Open final since Rafael Nadal, who won in 2005, and the first American finalist in Beijing since Andy Roddick in 2008. His path included a comeback win over World No. 21 Francisco Cerundolo, a victory over No. 25 Flavio Cobolli, and breakthroughs against No. 4 seed Lorenzo Musetti and No. 8 seed Daniil Medvedev—both of whom retired in deciding sets.

Tien’s impressive showing lifts him 16 spots in the ATP rankings to No. 36 and moves him into second place in the PIF ATP Race to Jeddah, surpassing Joao Fonseca.

—Reporting by Connor Greene