By Harshit | September 30, 2025 | Beijing | 4:35 EDT
World No. 2 Jannik Sinner will meet Australia’s Alex de Minaur in the semifinals of the ATP 500 China Open in Beijing on Tuesday morning, in a contest that renews one of the most lopsided rivalries on the tour. The Italian holds a dominant 10-1 head-to-head record against de Minaur, but both players enter the semifinal with strong momentum and the stakes of reaching one of the Asian swing’s marquee finals.
Sinner’s Path to the Semifinals
Sinner’s Beijing campaign has been defined by efficiency and composure. After a short break following his run to the US Open final earlier this month, where he fell to Carlos Alcaraz in four sets, the 24-year-old Italian has shown little sign of fatigue.
In his opening match, Sinner cruised past 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic in straight sets, displaying precision on serve and conceding only a single break-point opportunity, which he saved. His sternest test came in the Round of 16 against Frenchman Terence Atmane. Despite dropping the second set, Sinner regained control in the decider to advance 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.
The quarterfinals proved more straightforward. Facing Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan, Sinner produced a clean 6-3, 6-4 victory, once again leaning on his serve and steady baseline play. The win put him into his fourth semifinal of the season, extending a campaign that has already brought Masters 1000 success in Miami and consistent deep runs at majors.
De Minaur’s Road to the Last Four
Alex de Minaur arrives in the semifinal after an equally impressive stretch. The Australian, seeded sixth in Beijing, has thrived on the quick hard courts that suit his counter-punching game.
He opened with a confident win over veteran Roberto Bautista Agut, before edging past American Frances Tiafoe in a tense three-set battle. In the quarterfinals, de Minaur dispatched Denmark’s Holger Rune in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, using his speed and relentless retrieving to force errors at key moments.
The 26-year-old has been one of the tour’s most consistent performers in 2025, reaching finals in Acapulco and Toronto, and breaking into the ATP Top 10 for the first time in his career earlier this season.
Rivalry and Head-to-Head
Tuesday’s match will mark the 12th career meeting between the pair, with Sinner leading 10-1. De Minaur’s lone victory came in 2020, early in their rivalry. Since then, Sinner has reeled off nine consecutive wins, including a dominant performance in this year’s Miami Open quarterfinals.
Their most recent clash came at Wimbledon in July, where Sinner prevailed in straight sets in the Round of 16. For de Minaur, the challenge has been finding ways to penetrate Sinner’s heavy groundstrokes and take control of points against one of the game’s best defenders-turned-aggressors.
Still, the Australian has shown signs of closing the gap, particularly on hard courts, where his foot speed and counterattacking instincts are best suited.
Quotes From the Players
Speaking after his quarterfinal win, Sinner emphasized the importance of recovery and focus in the Asian swing. “I wanted to take some time after New York to reset,” he said. “The US Open was emotional and tough, but now I feel fresh and motivated. The courts here suit my game, and I’m happy with how I’ve played so far.”
De Minaur, meanwhile, acknowledged the challenge of facing a familiar opponent. “Jannik’s one of the toughest guys to play right now,” he told reporters. “I’ll need to bring my best level, stay aggressive, and try to make him uncomfortable. The head-to-head isn’t in my favor, but every match is new. I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”
Tournament Context
The ATP 500 event in Beijing is one of the highlights of the Asian swing, attracting a deep field as players prepare for the year-end push. Last season, Sinner reached the final here before falling to Carlos Alcaraz in a tightly contested three-set battle. A return to the championship match would give him another chance at a Beijing crown.
For de Minaur, reaching the final would mark one of the biggest achievements of his career, further cementing his status as a Top 10 regular and potential contender at the ATP Finals later this year.
What’s Next
The winner of Tuesday’s semifinal will face either Carlos Alcaraz or Daniil Medvedev in the championship match, depending on the outcome of the second semifinal. Both scenarios promise a blockbuster final and an opportunity to claim valuable points in the race to Turin.
Sinner will enter the match as the favorite, given his overwhelming record against de Minaur and current form. But with both players fresh and motivated, Beijing looks set for a high-intensity battle to decide who takes the next step toward the trophy.
