Sinner – Foto: Juarez Santos / Shutterstock.com
World No. 2 Jannik Sinner from Italy faces American Learner Tien in the ATP 500 Beijing final in China on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. The match starts at 3 AM (Brasília time) and marks the first-ever clash between the two on the professional circuit. Sinner aims for his third title of the season, while 19-year-old Tien competes for his first ATP final.
The match will be broadcast live on ESPN and streamed on Disney+, accessible to fans across Brazil. Held on hard courts at the China National Tennis Center, the event draws attention for Tien’s rise, ranked 52nd, after defeating top opponents to reach the final.
Sinner remains unbeaten against top Australians and flawless in recent semifinals. Tien, meanwhile, advanced after Medvedev’s withdrawal, showcasing his resilience as an underdog this week.
Very happy to be back in the final 💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/LHf0Ga5f8m
— Jannik Sinner (@janniksin) September 30, 2025
Sinner’s dominant run in the tournament
Jannik Sinner began the ATP 500 Beijing with commanding wins. In the second round, he defeated Croatia’s Marin Cilic 2-0, with sets of 6/4 and 7/5. Next, he overcame France’s Terence Atmane 6/3, 6/2, holding his serve throughout.
In the third round, Sinner beat Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan in straight sets, 6/4, 6/3. The semifinal saw him face Australia’s Alex de Minaur, world No. 8, in a three-set battle: 6/3, 4/6, 6/2. This victory marked his 11th straight win over De Minaur, reinforcing Sinner’s dominance on hard courts.
Sinner has reached nine consecutive finals on synthetic courts, with 29 career titles. In Beijing, he dropped just one set, boasting an 85% first-serve point win rate.
Learner Tien’s surprising rise
Learner Tien entered as an underdog and progressed steadily. In the second round, he defeated Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo, ranked 21st, 7/6, 6/4. The third round saw him overcome Italy’s Flavio Cobolli 6/3, 7/5, displaying strong baseline play.
In the quarterfinals, Lorenzo Musetti, world No. 9, retired in the second set with Tien leading 6/4, 3/0. The semifinal against Daniil Medvedev, ranked 18th, lasted 2h30, ending with Medvedev’s withdrawal in the third set as Tien led 4/0 after sets of 6/7, 7/5.
At 19, Tien is the second-youngest finalist in the tournament’s history, behind only Rafael Nadal. He has five top-10 wins in 2025, including against Brazil’s João Fonseca. His first serve yielded 72% of points this week, and the final offers a chance to break into the top 40.
Finalists’ performance stats
Sinner and Tien show contrasting strengths in the final. Sinner averages 22 winners per match in the tournament, with zero service breaks in the semifinal. His break point conversion rate is 45%, above the tour average.
Tien excels in long rallies, winning 60% of points in exchanges over nine shots. He committed just 12 unforced errors in the quarters but faces a challenge with his 52% first-serve rate.
- Sinner: 85% first-serve points won; 10 aces in semi; 29 career titles.
- Tien: 72% points in long rallies; 5 top-10 wins in 2025; first ATP final.
- Beijing history: Sinner two-time champion (2023); Tien debuts as finalist.
These stats highlight Sinner’s favoritism, but Tien’s resilience could extend the match.
Historical context of Beijing ATP 500
The Beijing tournament, part of the ATP calendar since 2004, was paused from 2020 to 2022 due to the pandemic. Novak Djokovic leads with six titles, followed by Rafael Nadal with five. Sinner aims for a third title, joining Djokovic and Nadal as multi-time champions.
In 2023, Sinner defeated Medvedev in the final; in 2024, he lost to Alcaraz. The event awards 500 ranking points to the winner, impacting the race for world No. 1. Alcaraz, the current leader, holds a 590-point lead, but his absence in Shanghai could narrow the gap.
Brazil claimed a doubles title in 2018 with Marcelo Melo and Lukasz Kubot. The 2025 edition drew 32,000 spectators, emphasizing sustainability on the courts.
Expectations for the decisive clash
The final starts at 3 AM Brasília time, played as a best-of-three sets match. Sinner, with 21 career titles, seeks his third in 2025 after the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Tien, a rival of João Fonseca since junior days, could climb the rankings regardless of the outcome.
The match takes place under 18°C in Beijing with light winds. ITF officials oversee the event, and the winner earns a $400,000 prize. Fans can follow via ESPN for real-time updates.
Exclusive broadcast ensures full coverage, with post-match analysis.
