BEIJING, China: Four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz is set to face last year’s runner-up Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals of the China Open after both players advanced with straight-set victories on Monday.
Alcaraz, the second seed from Spain, faced a challenging match against Russian seventh seed Karen Khachanov but managed to secure a 7-5, 6-2 win. The first set was particularly tense, with Khachanov holding off multiple break points before Alcaraz capitalized on his chances to take the lead.
Alcaraz, who celebrated his 200th career win in the tournament, broke Khachanov at a crucial moment to take the first set and then built momentum into the second set, breaking for a 3-2 lead and cruising to victory. Meanwhile, Medvedev, the third seed and last year’s finalist, defeated unseeded Italian Flavio Cobolli 6-2, 6-4 in his quarter-final match.
This upcoming semi-final is particularly significant as Alcaraz and Medvedev have met seven times previously, with Alcaraz winning five of those encounters, including their last meeting in the semi-finals at Wimbledon. With both players in strong form, the match promises to be an exciting clash as they vie for a place in the final.
