Sinner seeks redemption on Beijing's hard courts

The autumn sun casts long shadows over Beijing's hard courts as Jannik Sinner steps back into competition, the sting of his US Open final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz still fresh in the crisp air. At 24, with a season record of 37-5, the top seed arrives as the hunted, his game a symphony of flat groundstrokes and unyielding returns that once lifted the ATP 500 trophy here in 2023. This first-round draw, revealed following Tuesday’s draw, maps a path laced with veterans and home hopes, where every baseline exchange could reshape his narrative of dominance. ### Veteran craft challenges early resolve Sinner opens against Marin Cilic, the 2011 finalist whose towering serve and slice backhands evoke a bygone era of power tennis. On these medium-paced courts, the Croat's big first delivery might force the Italian into stretched returns, testing his footwork against underspin that skids low and disrupts rhythm. Yet Sinner's superior depth and inside-out forehands should prevail in rallies, turning potential pitfalls into propulsion toward the second round. A win there could bring home wild card Zhang Zhizhen, whose flat-hitting aggression stirs local cheers under the stadium lights. The Chinese player's crosscourt blasts mirror Sinner's own, but the top seed's tactical patience—mixing one–two punches with down-the-line surprises—might exploit any overeagerness, preserving energy amid the crowd's fervent pulse. ### Power clashes define deeper runs World No. 10 Karen Khachanov emerges as the seeded quarterfinal foe, his heavy topspin forehands pulling opponents wide in inside-in patterns that demand constant adjustment. Sinner's plan likely centers on varying pace, using drop shots to breach the Russian's baseline fortress while the surface's true bounce aids his returns. These exchanges, amplified by Beijing's echoing roars, will probe the Italian's endurance, each point a step in shaking off New York's ghosts. Semifinal possibilities sharpen the focus: third seed Alex de Minaur, chasing a second ATP 500 title after Washington, starts against China’s Buyunchaokete, relying on speedy retrievals to counter bigger serves. Seventh seed Jakub Mensik, Miami champion, faces Miomir Kecmanovic first, his booming groundstrokes suiting the hard-court tempo. Against either, Sinner could weave crosscourt depth to expose lapses, the golden October light highlighting his flat trajectory as the atmosphere thickens with stakes for the season's close. ### Rivalries brew in the lower draw Second seed Alexander Zverev begins versus Lorenzo Sonego, his aggressive inside-out game primed for a surface where he has reached three semifinals. A quarterfinal renewal with Daniil Medvedev looms, the Russian—who opens against Cameron Norrie and holds a 13-7 head-to-head edge—bringing his 2023 final experience and counterpunching slices to the fore. Their marathons of down-the-line winners and redirected pace could swing on mental edges, the crowd's energy fueling a rivalry that echoes through the draw. Fourth seed Lorenzo Musetti, fresh from his Chengdu final, meets big-serving Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, blending one-handed backhand underspin with creative angles on courts that reward variety. Sixth seed Andrey Rublev takes on Flavio Cobolli, his relentless forehand drives pushing for depth in every rally. Alexander Bublik adds unpredictability nearby, his spins a wildcard amid the push for Nitto ATP Finals spots—these players' deep runs vital as Beijing's skyline frames their urgency. #NextGenATP prospects like Shang Juncheng and Learner Tien weave youth into the tapestry; the Chinese wild card resumes his injury comeback against a qualifier, his baseline tenacity gaining bite on the grippy hard courts, while Tien tests Francisco Cerundolo in a clash of emerging styles. From September 25 to October 1, the China Open unfolds as a crucible, where Sinner's path promises not just points but a psychological reset—each victory a brushstroke toward sealing a year of near-perfection with renewed fire.