Carlos Alcaraz Convinced He Knows What Exactly Will Happen the Next Time He Faces Arch-Rival Jannik Sinner

Carlos Alcaraz is in Tokyo to make his Japan Open debut. The first seed will kick-start his campaign against Argentina’s Sebastian Baez on Thursday (September 25).

On the same day, his arch-rival Jannik Sinner will clash with Marin Cilic to kick off his China Open campaign. Last year in Beijing, Alcaraz secured his first title on the Asian swing after a thrilling final against then-defending champion Sinner.

But this year, he skipped the ATP 500 event in Beijing. During the pre-tournament press conference at the Japan Open, Alcaraz said he is convinced that Sinner will only work harder to improve his game after a one-sided US Open final (it’s one-sided if compared to their French Open and Wimbledon finals).

I’m convinced he’s going to change things tactically in our next match. I did it; I tried to be a better tennis player when I lost to him at Wimbledon, and I’m sure he’ll do the same. I have to be very focused and ready to respond to his new approaches.

Sinner also admitted that his game has become too predictable at the press conference after he failed to defend his US Open crown. To make him an unpredictable player, the Italian said he has to add more shots and make a habit of hitting them during matches, and while implementing them, he is ready to lose some matches.

But Sinner will not have a chance to face Alcaraz once again before the Shanghai Masters, as both will be playing in it, and will be projected to square off in the final. Last year in the ATP 1000 event, Alcaraz was eliminated in the quarterfinal by Tomas Machac, while Sinner clinched the title by beating 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.

They have already met five times this season, and have always clashed in the finals whenever they are in the same draw since the Italian Open. Alcaraz has lost only at Wimbledon, winning the Italian Open, French Open, Cincinnati Masters (he was given the walkover), and the US Open, to improve his overall head-to-head tally to 10-5.

Jimmy Connors praises Carlos Alcaraz and warns Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas

Jimmy Connors warned Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas that if they don’t start understanding the courts better, they would continue to lose in the Majors. Connors, during the Advantage Connors podcast, also lauded Alcaraz for his good understanding of court conditions.