BEIJING — Jannik Sinner reached his third China Open final in a row today as defending women’s champion Coco Gauff fought back to beat Belinda Bencic in a spicy contest.

The world number two Italian Sinner beat Australia’s Alex de Minaur 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 and is one victory away from a second title in Beijing.

Top seed Sinner will face either American teenager Learner Tien or eighth-seeded Daniil Medvedev in the final.

His only loss on Beijing’s centre Diamond Court has been to great rival Carlos Alcaraz, who won last year’s championship match in three gripping sets.

“It’s a very special place for me. This court has always been amazing,” Sinner, beaten by Alcaraz in the recent US Open final, said.

“Many things were positive finding myself again here, playing the last match of the tournament, it’s great,” he added.

“I’m very happy to be here on court tomorrow.” Alcaraz is not defending his title in the Chinese capital and is instead playing in Tokyo.

De Minaur, who had never beaten Sinner in 10 previous meetings, forced a deciding set but Sinner reset and claimed victory when the third-seeded Australian fired long.

“He was playing some great tennis in the second set,” the 24-year-old Sinner said.

“The third set, luckily, I started very well, which gave me the confidence to continue.”