Carlos Alcaraz y Jannik Sinner This Saturday they took their rivalry to the relaxed terrain of a million-dollar exhibition that, according to the Gazzetta dello Sportprovided each of them with two million euros. The 15,000 spectators who paid exorbitant amounts to watch the gig at the Inspire Arena of Incheonnearly Seoulthe capital of South Koreathey had a great time in a match that had a first set focused on the spectacle and a second set more typical of an official competition. He won both Alcarazwho won 7-5 and 7-6 (6) in 1h48. “We’ve had a great time. The energy and support we’ve received here has been crazy. I’m very grateful for that and because they’ve treated me like home. Jannikwe finished the year playing and started this year the same. I hope this season is as good as the last. I wish you the best in Australia”said the winner.
The special relationship maintained by the two great dominators of tennis did not disappoint, although it was not easy for both of them to function in unknown conditions, typical of bygone times. Because the match was played on a synthetic vinyl or PVCsimilar to that used, for example, in badminton matches, a sport that is widely practiced in Corea. So everything was going very fast, especially when it came to two hitters like the Spaniard and the Italian, who took the first few bars a little bit lightly. Instead of trying to outdo each other and hit the gaps, they threw placed balls at each other to extend the points and give a bit of a show (there was a very long exchange of backhand crosses, for example), although from time to time they took out the mallet to loosen up a little. In that situation, and after having saved some break points, Carlos broke the service Jannik and went ahead on the scoreboard.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have fun playing as short a cross as possible.
Carlitos’ very first backhand (at 9 seconds), which brings the start of the game, is sumptuous. 👌pic.twitter.com/Zqy3bEOsO4
— Tennis Legend (@TennisLegende) January 10, 2026
The second set was different, more serious, also on Sinner’s part, although the Italian let a very young spectator play a point who won it from Alcaraz with a right hand to the line. Jokes aside, the one Saint Candide He tried to equalize and was close to achieving it. He even had a set point in the final tiebreaker, but neither he nor his opponent seemed willing to spend three hours on a strange post a week before the start of the match. Open the Australia (January 18 to February 1), where they would only face each other in a hypothetical, although it could be said predictable, final.
Both traveled immediately after the game to Melbournewhere they will train this Sunday. The world number one will do it from 6:45 Spanish time; on the second, starting at 05:00. In Corea They had a great time before and during their friendly confrontation. Without having played any of the two previous tournaments, in the capital of Victoria the compadreo will end. There they will warm up with more serious matches against Alex de Minaur y Happy Auger-Alsorespectively, on the 15th and 16th, before facing the first major of the season. The Murcian will look for a first title with which to complete the Grand Slam career, and Saint Candidethe third in a row.
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