Relentless Alcaraz downs Khachanov in Beijing, sets Medvedev SF clash

Carlos Alcaraz is a semi-finalist at the China Open once again.

The Spaniard on Monday delivered a high-quality 7-5, 6-2 victory against Karen Khachanov to book his last-four spot at the ATP 500 in Beijing. Alcaraz was a consistent threat in return games throughout the 96-minute encounter with Khachanov, who showcased plenty of quality himself but was unable to match the sheer relentlessness of his opponent from the baseline.

“I always try to be aggressive, hitting strong shots, and I feel like I’m not afraid to show that,” said Alcaraz, who has now won his past seven tour-level matches. “To try again and again. That’s what I’m feeling right now.

“In the past matches, everything went well, so I can’t complain at all. I know that I have to keep trying. 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. That’s what I like and what I want in every match.”

Back-to-back Beijing semi-finals ?@carlosalcaraz returns to the final four at the @ChinaOpen.#ChinaOpen pic.twitter.com/0zQ0p7szqO

The second-seeded Alcaraz, who fell to eventual champion Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals last year in Beijing, converted four of 12 break points he earned against Khachanov, according to Infosys ATP Stats. With his 46th tour-level match win of 2024, the 21-year-old rose one spot to replace Alexander Zverev as No. 2 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.

Alcaraz also jumped above Zverev into second in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin as a result of Monday’s victory. The Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion, who has already qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals, is 2,890 points behind first-placed Sinner in the battle for ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF honours. The Italian could extend his lead again later on Monday, however, when he takes on Jiri Lehecka in his Beijing quarter-final.

Awaiting Alcaraz in the last four in the Chinese capital will be Daniil Medvedev. The third seed defeated Flavio Cobolli 6-2, 6-4 to maintain his bid for his maiden ATP Tour crown of 2024. Alcaraz leads Medvedev 5-2 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series and won both their tour-level meetings so far this season in Indian Wells and at Wimbledon, respectively.

“It’s always difficult facing Medvedev,” said Alcaraz. “I played great matches against him earlier this year and during the past couple of years. I’m ready to take that challenge, to try to play my best tennis to pass him. It’s always a war. Long matches, long rallies, when I play against him, but I’m ready for the challenge.”

[NEWSLETTER FORM]