C. ALCARAZ/J. Sinner
6-7, 6-4, 7-6
THE MODERATOR: Jannik, longest match in tournament history, 3 hours 21 minutes. Your 10th meeting with Carlos. Talk about the match, please.
JANNIK SINNER: The match, obviously for both of us, it's always nice to be part of these kind of matches. Obviously disappointed it didn't go my way. These kind of matches can really go both ways.
But it was not my day. He played better in important moments. That's it. I'm proud again of a great week, making finals here. Last year I won here. For sure it's a place where I love to play. Yeah, so I'm already looking forward for next year.
THE MODERATOR: Open it up for questions.
Q. Despite the result tonight, you played a fantastic tournament. What positives will you take from this match and this tournament in general as you head into Shanghai?
JANNIK SINNER: Shanghai is completely different because the situation is different. Hopefully I get into rhythm quite fast. For sure it's going to be a tough first-round match. Every tournament is difficult to play first rounds.
This week, it has gone growing, starting off in one way and finishing off in a different way. For sure there are things where I can improve. We will work on that, trying to become always a better player and also better person. Also the work never stops. Yeah, I think that's really it, no?
Today all three sets, they were very tough physically. It was a long match. The third set was decided by very, very little points, small points. They went his way, so...
It's all good.
Q. You mentioned you're sure you're going to play Carlos more in the future. What is your take on the rivalry between you and Carlos?
JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, I feel like it's always great when we meet, no? We try to push ourself and each other to the limits. He for me is a point of where I work. Also today I saw couple things where I need to get better. It's not only him, there are also other players.
It's always nice to share the court with him. I feel like also the fans, they like it. Usually the matches are quite long, they're physical, there are many turning points.
Yeah, as I said, it's always nice. Feel privileged and honored to share the court with him. As I said, we both tried to win. We tried to concentrate on every point. Having a great attitude on the court, that makes it happen that it's a very interesting match always.
Q. What do you think happened during today's tiebreak?
JANNIK SINNER: It can happen. Was up 3-0. I served very good. Touched the net, the first ball. If I go 4-0, it already a bit different.
It's unnecessary to talk about certain points. I felt like he played great point also on 3-0 and 3-1, then he served very well on 3-2.
The margins are very small. In the tiebreaks, the small margins, they seem very big. That's it. You have to accept it. You have to keep working on a couple of things. I won many tiebreaks in the last period of time. This one, it went away.
That's it, no? It's all good.
Q. Where does this rank among your matches you've played in your entire career so far?
JANNIK SINNER: Difficult to say. I feel like every match you play or important match you play, you live a different moment. It's also very tough to give you the ranking.
For sure it's in the top three, top five. 7-6 in the third in a final, it's always tough. I had some great matches in the past, even if I'm still young as a player.
But yeah, I'm always happy to make new experiences, trying to grow. Yeah, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. That's how this sport is. There are very highs and sometimes there are lows. It's all good.
My season is going very, very consistent, very great. We try to keep building and working for the rest of the season. Now in the next tournament, it's a very important tournament for me because it's only the second time I play there, but I haven't reached the final stages of the tournament yet. It's already trying to concentrate there and hopefully finishing off the season in a very positive way.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports