Carlos Alcaraz to face Daniil Medvedev in China Open last four
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Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz hitting a return to Russia's Karen Khachanov during their men’s singles quarter-final match in Beijing, on Sept 30.
PHOTO: AFP
BEIJING – Daniil Medvedev is bracing himself to face “probably the best player in the world” in Carlos Alcaraz in the China Open semi-finals, after both rolled through in straight sets on Sept 30.
Spanish second seed and four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz emerged from a tense first set to defeat Russian seventh seed Karen Khachanov 7-5, 6-2 in Beijing, warning rivals afterwards: “I’m not letting my opponents show their best tennis.”
Serving at 4-4 in the first set, Khachanov eventually held after a gruelling game in which both players gave up multiple game points when Alcaraz put his forehand long.
It was to be only a temporary reprieve.
The 21-year-old Alcaraz had the Russian under pressure once again at 5-5 and, this time, the world No. 3 made no mistake, grabbing the break and then holding his own serve to go a set up.
Alcaraz, who recorded his 200th tour-level win on Sept 29, broke for 3-2 on the way to winning a more comfortable second set.
Said the Spaniard: “I’m hitting the ball really well, I’m moving well, and I’m not letting my opponents show their best tennis. It’s like the match is in my style.”
On his next opponent, Alcaraz added: “It’s always difficult facing Medvedev. I played great matches against him earlier this year and during the past couple of years... It’s always a war – long matches, long rallies.”
Russian third seed Medvedev, who lost the 2023 final to Jannik Sinner, beat unseeded Italian Flavio Cobolli 6-2, 6-4 in his quarter-final.
Said the 28-year-old Russian of Alcaraz: “I think I’m not the only one to say it... When he’s in the zone, he’s probably the best player in the world. Tough to play him. I feel like now he’s in the zone. So it’s great test for me.”
Alcaraz and 2021 US Open champion Medvedev have met seven times before, with the Spaniard winning five, most recently in the semi-finals at Wimbledon. Alcaraz went on to beat Novak Djokovic in the final and retain his title.
The other semi-final will see Italy’s Sinner face home hope Bu Yunchaokete, who has had a remarkable run since being given a wild card for the tournament.
Sinner booked his spot by beating Czech Jiri Lehecka 6-2, 7-6 (8-6).
In the women’s draw, Naomi Osaka is also primed for a “battle” after setting up a clash with fourth seed Coco Gauff, while top seed Aryna Sabalenka also marched on.
Osaka defeated the 60th-ranked American Katie Volynets 6-3, 6-2 and next faces the 20-year-old American in a last-16 showdown of former US Open champions in Beijing.
Looking ahead to the Gauff meeting, four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka said: “She’s very athletic, obviously. For me, my strongest traits are being aggressive and also my serve.
“So it’s definitely going to be a battle – who wants to take control of the point first? And I think it’s going to be me.”
World No. 2 Sabalenka swatted aside Ashlyn Krueger 6-2, 6-2 for her 14th victory in a row and plays another American in 24th-ranked Madison Keys.
Also through to the last 16 is home favourite and fifth seed Zheng Qinwen.
She defeated Argentina’s Nadia Podoroska 6-3, 6-2 on Sept 30 to set up a tie against American Amanda Anisimova. AFP