Carlos Alcaraz claims he knows why he lost to Jannik Sinner and vows to put it right

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Carlos Alcaraz attends a press conference
Carlos Alcaraz talks to the media

Carlos Alcaraz was well beaten by Jannik Sinner in the China Open semi-finals, but the young Spaniard insists he knows why he lost and has vowed to put it right.

Sinner took the advantage in his sparkling rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz after dumping the top seed out of the China Open in the semi-finals.

The pair had shared their opening six matches, including a US Open quarter-final that was arguably the best contest of last year.

The first set in Beijing featured a succession of brilliant, hard-hitting rallies, with 22-year-old Italian Sinner twice coming from a break down to take it on a tie-break.

And Alcaraz, 20, was unable to match his young rival in the second set, the errors beginning to flow in a 7-6 (4) 6-1 victory for Sinner.

The manner of the defeat and Alcaraz’s second set demise suggested Sinner had found the recipe to beat his youthful rival, yet Alcaraz has suggested he ready to bounce back at the Shanghai Masters.

“I have just one day to practise and then the tournament is going to start, but… I feel ready, and I’ll change what I did wrong in Beijing,” he stated after arriving in Shanghai.

“Well, I talked with Juan Carlos (Ferrero, his coach) on how I would have to change it, you know, how can I be better, you know, on that part.

“Obviously, I have to do my homework, to re-watch the match (against Sinner) and to see the things more clear, you know, and study what happened exactly, and be able to practice and be better on this tournament.

“I have just one day to practice and then the tournament is going to start, but I think I’ll be ready, and I’ll change what I did wrong in Beijing.

“What I remember is I cannot make everyone happy. I just have to be focused on myself, on being myself all the time.

“You know, don’t pretend to make everyone happy. It’s impossible. I’m going to say that, just to be focused on myself, being myself all the time, and that’s everything for me.”

When asked about his increasingly compelling battle with Sinner, he admitted he needs to improve to find a winning formula against the in-form Italian.

“We have a good rivalry,” continued Alcaraz, in comments given to the ATP. “I am a guy who doesn’t want to lose in any match. Against him it is different.

“I feel a difference. Every time I beat him or lose against him is different. I learn something from every match I play against him.

“It would be great if (the rivalry) was like Rafa and Roger. It would be the dream. For ourselves and the tennis fans.”

READ MORE: Carlos Alcaraz makes brutally honest Novak Djokovic confession as he targets No 1 ranking

Sinner beat Daniil Medvedev for the first time at the seventh attempt as he lifted the China Open title and Alcaraz admitted he was not surprised to see the Italian beat the Russia.

“I saw a little, not all of it,” he added of the final in Beijing.

“It doesn’t surprise me at all. I know Jannik’s ability. I know his level.

“He is one of the best players in the world & he can beat anyone. The final does not surprise me.

“I know he lost six times in a row to Daniil, but sometimes you can be better by studying your opponent’s game & what he did wrong in previous matches to be better and beat him. I’m very happy for him. The level he was playing at was incredible.”

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