In a riveting display of tennis at the China Open, two former world No.1 players have secured their places in the semi-finals, setting the stage for a potentially explosive final. Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner progressed confidently through their respective quarter-finals, each showcasing their skills and resilience.
Medvedev’s match against Alexander Zverev, the world No.3, was highly anticipated. However, the encounter did not unfold as expected. The Russian star delivered a commanding performance, winning in straight sets, thereby reaffirming his status as a formidable opponent. This victory marks Medvedev’s return to form as he competes in his first semi-final since June, following a noteworthy drop to No. 18 in the rankings.
Post-match, Medvedev reflected on his performance, stating, “It’s great, but I always want more. In the beginning of your career, numbers are important. When you achieve a lot, it’s more about just doing your best.” He emphasized the sense of relief and accomplishment he felt being back in the semi-finals after a period of challenging matches. Notably, Medvedev successfully saved all four break points he faced during the match against Zverev, adding yet another victory over the German, leading their overall head-to-head to 14-7.
Medvedev’s next challenge will come against American teenager Learner Tien, who advanced to the semi-finals when Lorenzo Musetti retired due to injury. Musetti, who was trailing in the deciding set, is suspected to have sustained a thigh injury, though the extent remains unconfirmed. As he exited the court, Musetti was met with boos from the crowd, echoing their displeasure from a previous incident in the tournament. Tien currently holds a scoreline of 4-6, 6-3, 3-0 in his favor at the time of Musetti’s retirement, raising concerns about the Italian’s participation in the upcoming ATP Finals, where he is currently ranked seventh.
On the other half of the draw, Jannik Sinner displayed his prowess by defeating Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan with a score of 6-1, 7-5. After a dominant first set, Sinner faced a tougher challenge in the second, as he found himself down a break. However, he rallied impressively, winning the final three games to close out the match. “I feel like I started off very well in the first set, and we both played very well in the second set,” Sinner remarked, highlighting his ability to fight through tight moments.
This victory advances Sinner to the semi-finals in Beijing for the third time, where he will face off against Alex de Minaur. The Australian earned his spot following Jakub Mensik’s retirement due to injury after just five games, which has left fans eager to see how Sinner will fare against the highly-ranked De Minaur.
As the tournament progresses, both Medvedev and Sinner appear to be on a collision course for a grand showdown. If their current forms continue, tennis enthusiasts can expect a thrilling final in Beijing.
