Alcaraz passes the Khachanov test and repeats SF in Beijing | ATP Tour

Beijing

A great Alcaraz meets Medvedev in the Beijing semifinals

The Spaniard repeats the penultimate round signed in 2023

September 30, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz wants to write a path of splendor on the Asian tour. The Spaniard reached the semifinals of the China Open this Monday in sensational fashion, beating Karen Khachanov 7-5, 6-2 to underline his authority in Beijing. With an intense match full of perseverance, the player from Murcia reached the penultimate round of the tournament for the second consecutive season. And one thing seems clear: he is not willing to stop.

The No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings faced the most dangerous match of the week, with a huge hitter on the other side of the net as a threat. Although Khachanov had the ability to draw a melee, recovering a break to reach 5-5 in the first set, Alcaraz appeared ready to accept any blow.

After reaching 200 victories on the circuit, the toughness on the track spurred the winning spirit of the Murcian, determined to overcome his rival’s resistance. Carlos made the difference to the rest in the final stretch of the first set and dealt a emotional blow to Khachanov who, in a demonstration of perseverance, barely conceded two points on serve in an impeccable second set.

“I always try to be aggressive, using strong punches, and I feel like I’m not afraid to show it,” Alcaraz said after adding his seventh consecutive victory. “I try again and again. That’s how I feel right now.”

“During the last few matches things have gone well, I can’t complain at all. I know I have to keep working. I’m hitting the ball very well, I’m moving well and I’m not letting my opponents do their best tennis. It’s like the game was played on my terms. That’s what I like and what I want in every game.”

The Murcian, who had already scored relentless victories against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and Tallon Griekspoor in Beijing, overwhelmed the weapons of the world No. 27 to reach the semifinals without giving up a set in the entire tournament. If Carlos was looking for a test of strength at this stage of the year, his push in the Chinese capital is a response in capital letters.

In a tournament marked in red by the locker room elite, Alcaraz will play in the semifinals against world No. 5 Daniil Medvedev, who advanced to the penultimate round after defeating Italian Flavio Cobolli 6-2, 6-4. The Spaniard will enter the duel with the command (5-2) in the Lexus ATP Head2Head history, including the victories added this year in the final of the ATP Masters 1000 in Indian Wells and in the semifinals of Wimbledon.

“It’s always difficult to play with Medvedev,” Alcaraz said. “I have played great matches against him this year and in the last two seasons. I am prepared to face that challenge, I will try to play my best tennis to defeat him. It is always a battle. The matches and the points are long when we face each other. But I am ready for this challenge.”

In addition, the promotion to the semifinals in Beijing allows Alcaraz to surpass Alexander Zverev as No. 2 in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin. The Spaniard, who is only chasing the Italian Jannik Sinner in the year’s rankings, has a chance of finishing the season as ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF for the second time in his career (2022).

Did you know that…?
Carlos Alcaraz is seeking the first ATP Tour title of his sporting career on the Asian continent. The Spaniard, who has become a global star, has spread his trophy wins across Europe (9), North America (4) and South America (2) up to this point. A victory in China would serve to display his winning character in a field hitherto unheard of in his record.