Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, and Carlos Alcaraz safely advanced through their quarterfinals at the China Open in Beijing. While Medvedev and Alcaraz are familiar opponents, Sinner will be facing the first Chinese male player to reach the last eight in the tournament as a wild card entry!
“I feel like I can still improve a couple of things here so hopefully tomorrow is going to be that day where I feel better on the court.” Jannik Sinner
Bu Yunchaokete, a surprising semifinalist at this ATP 500 event, earned his spot by defeating the fourth-seeded Andrei Rublev with a score of 7-5, 6-4 in a thrilling match that kept the crowd on their feet. This match was the last of the quarterfinals played on Monday.
The first match of the day featured Skinner, the world No.1, who overcame a tough challenge from Jiri Lehecka with a score of 6-2, 7-6(6) in a match that lasted one hour and 43 minutes. Lehecka had his chances, coming close to forcing a decider but failed to convert two set points in the tiebreak.
Jannik Sinner was tested in the second set
(Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
“I felt like I had some chances in the second set, I couldn’t use them, then it gets a bit tricky,” Sinner admitted afterwards.
“I was serving on 5-5, he had a couple of break points but I served well fortunately. [In] a tie-break everything can happen, I was down and then I returned well on 4-6, served well on 5-6, so happy how I handled a tough situation.
“I feel like I can still improve a couple of things here so hopefully tomorrow is going to be that day where I feel better on the court.
“Jiri, we played in Indian Wells so we know each other a little bit more now. He is a very tough player to play against so I’m very happy to be in the next round.”
Sinner now faces the 22-year-old Bu, who reached the semifinals at last week’s Hangzhou tournament and managed to secure his first win against a top-ten player in the quarterfinals.
Carlos Alcaraz still has yet to drop a set
(Photo by Shi Tang/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Alcaraz continued his dominant run with a straight-sets victory over Karen Khachanov, setting up an exciting semifinal clash with Medvedev.
Alcaraz maintained his aggressive playstyle throughout the match, securing a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Khachanov.
“I always try to be aggressive, hitting strong shots, and I’m feeling like I’m not afraid to show that, to try again and again,” Alcaraz said after the match.
“If I fail the shot I’m not afraid to keep trying, so that’s what I’m feeling right now. In the last matches everything went well so I can’t complain at all.
“I know that I have to keep trying because I think I’m hitting the ball really well, I’m moving well so I don’t let my opponents show their best tennis, so the match is in my style. That’s what I like, what I want in every match.”
Second-seeded Alcaraz will face Medvedev in the semifinals after the Russian beat Flavio Cobolli 6-2, 6-4.
“It’s always difficult facing Medvedev, I’ve played great matches against him earlier this year, during the last couple of years,” Alcaraz added.
“I’m ready to take that challenge, to try to play my best tennis to pass him. It’s always a war, long rallies, long matches when I play against him. But I’m ready to take that challenge.”
Daniil Medvedev had a comfortable win
(Photo by Shi Tang/Getty Images)
