Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner LIVE: Current score from the China Open and updates from the blockbuster final in Beijing

A nasty backand return from Sinner on the opening point, he hits the same route at 15-15 and Alcaraz hits his backhand into the net.

15-30. But Alcaraz strengthens the forehand at the first pressure point and is rewarded when Sinner is pushed back.

Good serve from Alcaraz and another big forehand as the Spaniard holds at love to start this China Open final.

The Diamond Court in Beijing is a beautiful, round bowl, like a bullring. And it's completely booked for this morning's blockbuster finale. Alcaraz will make it easier for us to get started.

We are almost ready to go to Beijing! Alcaraz leads Sinner onto the court for the second ATP Tour final. For tennis fans, the China Open is a real treat.

Alcaraz is already skipping around the pitch in his sleeveless vest while Sinner walks out in his hoodie before shaking his young rival's hand at the net.

We'll stop for a moment and then start. Sinner wins the throw and chooses to receive.

There are usually fireworks when Alcaraz and Sinner meet, and they have already played some classic matches.

The US Open quarterfinal was a record-breaking last result in New York, while last year's Miami Open semifinal produced the ATP point of the year.

2024: Roland Garros, semi-finals, outdoor clay – Alcaraz wins in five sets

2024: Indian Wells, semi-finals, outdoor hard – Alcaraz wins in three sets

2023: China Open, semifinals, outdoor hard – Sinner wins in two sets

2023: Miami Open, semifinals, outdoor hard – Sinner wins in three sets

2023: Indian Wells, semi-finals, outdoor hard – Alcaraz wins in two sets

2022: US Open, quarterfinals, outdoor hard – Alcaraz wins in five sets

2022: Umag, final, outdoor clay – Sinner wins in three sets

2022: Wimbledon, round of 16, grass – Sinner wins in four sets

2021: Paris Masters, Round of 32, Indoor Hard – Alcaraz wins in straight sets

There was a brilliant final at the Japan Open yesterday, with 20-year-old Arthur Fils defeating fellow Frenchman Ugo Humbert 5-7, 7-6 (6), 6-3 to win his third ATP Tour title.

Fils received treatment on his left ankle and was in deep trouble while trailing 0-40 in the eighth game of the second set, but he recovered, saved a match point in the tiebreak and secured the victory.

It was the culmination of an impressive week for the 24th ranked youngster, who defeated Taylor Fritz, Matteo Berrettini, Ben Shelton and Holger Rune en route to the final.

Jannik Sinner hasn't lost since his loss to Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals in Montreal on August 11 – although Sinner has been dealing with a hip injury after having to play two games in one day.

Since then, Sinner has won Cincinnati and the US Open and carried his form to Beijing. The Italian has won 15 games in a row.

Carlos Alcaraz suffered one of the biggest shocks in US Open history when he lost to Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round of the US Open.

The Spaniard was exhausted after winning the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back before reaching the Olympic final at Roland Garros.

Alcaraz has been back in form since New York: at the Davis Cup, the Laver Cup and now the China Open, Alcaraz has won eight games in a row and gave his best against Daniil Medvedev.

Interestingly, Alcaraz ended Sinner's 19-match winning streak at the Australian Open when he defeated him in the semi-finals at Indian Wells earlier this season.

Jannik Sinner speaks after his win over Bu Yunchaokete to set up a China Open final with Carlos Alcaraz:

“It will be a tough game. We know each other very well now, but every game is different, so the situation on the pitch is a little different than in the last two games. But let's see.

“I’m happy to be here again in the final. My season is going very, very well and taking part in the finals is always a great moment. I just hope we have a good game tomorrow.”

Jannik Sinner said he was “very disappointed and also surprised” after the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) announced it would appeal the decision to clear the Italian of a doping offence.

An independent court concluded the world No. 1 was not guilty despite testing positive for a banned substance twice earlier this year.

Sinner secured his second Grand Slam title of the year at the US Open, just 19 days after the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced it had accepted his explanation that the anabolic agent had entered his body after he had received massages from a member of his team.

But on Saturday the 23-year-old's future came into doubt again after Wada announced it would appeal the decision to the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).

It was a strong match week at the China Open, but hopefully today's blockbuster between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner doesn't end like yesterday's popcorn match.

This came after Coco Gauff helped carry Naomi Osaka's bags off the court as the former world No. 1 pulled out of the highly anticipated China Open quarter-finals with a back injury.

Gauff had just leveled the game at one set when Osaka shook her opponent's hand after receiving medical treatment early in the bout.

“It was a good game up until that point,” Gauff said. “I wish Naomi a speedy recovery. Nobody wants to win a game like this, especially not by a set.”

Have you heard the story of Zhang Shuai? You should have, because it might be one of the best stories in sports right now.

The wildcard veteran went into the China Open having lost 24 straight singles matches, but has now won four straight with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Magdalena Frech.

Zhang is ranked 595th in the world and will reach the quarterfinals where she will face 15th seed Paula Badosa, who defeated US Open finalist Jessica Pegula 6-4 6-0.