World No.3 Daniil Medvedev overcame a second-set hiccup to defeat Frenchman Ugo Humbert 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 and advanced into the semifinals of the China Open on Monday. The Russian struggled to find his typical smooth game in the first two sets but exploded in the third to beat 36th-ranked Humbert and advance to his 10th semifinal of the season. The 27-year-old Russian will next face eighth-seeded Alexander Zverev to claim a spot in the summit clash.
German Zverev defeated Chile’s Nicolas Jarry 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-3 in his last eight encounter. Zverev has lost three times to Medvedev this year but flipped the script in their last meeting in Cincinnati. It seems like we have to play each other every tournament this year. It’s the fifth time we’re going to play each other. Every time we play, it’s a battle, Zverev admitted.
I’m kind of happy that I managed to raise my level in important moments, except a game in the second set, Medvedev expressed after reaching the semis. It’s fantastic that I was able to find these moments of consistency in this tough match, which was enough to win. That is what you must do, the Russian added.
World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz produced a dominating performance to beat seventh-seeded Casper Ruud in straight sets 6-4, 6-2 to grab his place in the semifinals. The 20-year-old Spaniard will be playing Italian Jannik Sinner who edged past Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 in their quarterfinal match.
Meanwhile, making her first appearance at the China Open, World No.2 Iga Swiatek advanced to the second round with a straight-set 6-4, 6-3 victory over Sara Sorribes Tormo. The Pole star fired 27 winners and made 25 unforced errors, breaking serve a total of seven times in the win. You have to be patient with her because she’s running for every ball, Swiatek said of her Spanish opponent. I kind of wanted to just be solid and be intensive but not make too many mistakes with risk, she added. Swiatek’s next opponent will be Varvara Gracheva.
Ons Jabeur, who won the Ningbo Open last week, defeated Ashlyn Krueger 6-3, 6-4, while Caroline Garcia defeated Kateryna Baindl 6-2, 6-4. Local favorite Wang Xinyu of China upset wildcard Vera Zvonareva 6-4, 6-3, while Daria Kasatkina of Russia defeated Mayar Sherif 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (8). Also in the second round, Anhelina Kalinina defeated Daria Saville 6-2, 7-6 (5) and Jasmine Paolini beat Yuan Yue 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
