Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the China Open final, setting up a highly anticipated showdown with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner after defeating Daniil Medvedev. The Spaniard notched his third consecutive win against Medvedev with a score of 7-5, 6-3, marking his fifth final appearance in 2024.
Alcaraz secured a championship-match appointment against top-seeded Sinner by overcoming local wild card Yunchaokete Bu with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) victory in Beijing.
“It’s going to be a tough match. We know each other very well now, but every match is different,” Sinner noted ahead of their clash.
As the reigning champions of both the French Open and Wimbledon, Alcaraz triumphed in a tightly contested first set, which featured five breaks of serve, before dominating Medvedev in the second set to complete the match in 88 minutes.
“I’m really happy that I didn’t lose my focus too long in the first set,” Alcaraz remarked. “Once you are one set up, it’s a little bit easier against someone like Daniil.”
Following a disappointing second-round exit at the US Open, Alcaraz has now achieved eight consecutive victories as he aims for his first ATP title since July’s win at Wimbledon. Meanwhile, Sinner rides a 15-match winning streak.
“You have to keep fighting and focus on your own game,” reflected Alcaraz on his recent success.
Sinner Poised for Beijing Blockbuster
Sinner remains undeterred by potential doping ban whispers, as the World Anti-Doping Agency challenges prior findings in his case. The Italian utilized his experience efficiently against Bu, who previously played only one ATP Tour event before the recent ATP 250 in Hangzhou.
With a two-hour and four-minute victory, Sinner is just one match away from joining Novak Djokovic as the only player to successfully defend the China Open title. Alcaraz, however, leads their head-to-head series 5-4, and this final marks their second meeting in a championship match, following Sinner’s 2022 Umag title win over Alcaraz.
“Tomorrow’s match will be completely different,” Sinner stated. “It’s going to be tactical, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Evans Advances to Shanghai Main Draw
Dan Evans secured his place in the Shanghai Masters main draw by defeating Australian Alex Bolt 6-2, 1-6, 7-5 in the second qualifying round. Evans, who prepped for the Masters 1000 event on the Challenger Tour in Thailand, will meet Brazil’s Thiago Seyboth Wild in the first round.
Billy Harris also advanced as a lucky loser, facing Italy’s Mattia Bellucci in his first appearance at a Masters 1000 event.
Fils Captures Tokyo Title in Thrilling Fashion
Talented Frenchman Arthur Fils saved a championship point in a gripping match against Ugo Humbert to clinch the Tokyo title. Fils endured a challenging second set but turned the tide, winning 5-7, 7-6(6), 6-3 for his second ATP 500 title of the season.
“I’m very happy with the tennis I’m producing,” Fils stated, reflecting on his journey through the tournament.
Additionally, British duo Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool triumphed in the doubles event, defeating Galloway Behar 6-4, 4-6, 12-10, marking a significant milestone in their careers.
Upcoming October Events
- Shanghai Masters – ATP 1000 (October 2-13)
- Wuhan Open – WTA 1000 (October 6-12)
- Almaty Open, Kazakhstan – ATP 250 (October 14-20)
- Stockholm Open, Sweden – ATP 250 (October 14-20)
- European Open, Antwerp – ATP 250 (October 14-20)
- Japan Open, Osaka – WTA 250 (October 14-20)
- Ningbo Open, China – WTA 500 (October 14-20)
- Erste Bank Open, Vienna – ATP 500 (October 21-27)
- Swiss Indoors, Basel – ATP 500 (October 21-27)
- Guangzhou Open, China – WTA 250 (October 21-27)
- Toray Pan Pacific Open Tennis, Tokyo – WTA 500 (October 21-27)
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