Carlos Alcaraz will face Jannik Sinner in the China Open final after dispatching Daniil Medvedev in straight sets. The world number three took 88 minutes to secure a commanding 7-5, 6-3 victory, marking his eighth consecutive win since his unexpected second-round loss to Botic van de Zandschulp at the US Open.
Sinner, the world number one and defending champion, advanced to the final with a straightforward win over Chinese wildcard Bu Yunchaokete.
In a competitive first set, Alcaraz and Medvedev traded breaks for four consecutive games, leaving the score tied at 4-4. However, the Spaniard broke Medvedev again in the 10th game and held serve to claim the set in 48 minutes.
Medvedev, who required two medical timeouts for treatment on his left leg, struggled as Alcaraz took control of the second set. The match concluded when Alcaraz converted his fourth match point.
“It was a bit unusual, with so many breaks of serve in the first set,” Alcaraz said. “I probably lost focus a bit, but I’m really happy I regained it quickly and was able to finish the set playing great tennis.”
Sinner, seeking his seventh ATP Tour title of 2024, needed just over two hours to overcome world number 96 Yunchaokete. The 23-year-old Italian has been on a remarkable run, winning 14 consecutive matches since the Cincinnati Open in August, including his US Open triumph at Indian Wells.
Additionally, Sinner has won 50 straight matches against players ranked outside the top 20.
In other news, Britain’s Dan Evans secured a 6-2, 1-6, 7-5 victory over Australia’s Alex Bolt in the final round of qualifying for the Shanghai Masters.
Evans, the world number 176 and the only British player in the draw, will face Brazil’s Thiago Seyboth Wild in the first round. Compatriot Jack Draper withdrew from the event on Monday due to an abdominal injury.
