Carlos Alcaraz defeats Daniil Medvedev, will face Jannik Sinner in Beijing final
The 21-year-old prevailed 7-5, 6-3, in a match that didn't feel that close, to reach his 21st tour title match.
In just under 90 minutes at the China Open on Tuesday, Carlos Alcaraz defeated the fifth-ranked player in the world. It was the kind of form that left the Spaniard beaming—a sight for sore eyes, after the 21-year-old’s somewhat sullen post-Wimbledon stretch. It was also the kind of form that may be required, once again, if he’s to continue his resurgent run in Beijing.
That’s because his opponent in the final may be Jannik Sinner, who hasn’t lost in his last 14 matches. (Editor's Note: Sinner will face Alcaraz, after defeating Bu Yunchaokete, 6-3, 7-6 (3).
First, though, let’s discuss Alcaraz’s semifinal conquest in Beijing, over the ever-dangerous Daniil Medvedev. Nearly half of his games won were via breaks—Alcaraz converted five of 11 chances—and despite being broken himself twice in the opening set, he always seemed impose his will against the typically unflappable Russian.
Serving at 4-3 in the opener, Alcaraz struck two unforced errors in a break-filled stretch to give Medvedev life. The 28-year-old then held for 5-4. From that point on, Alcaraz would win nine of 12 games.
His groundstrokes misfired at times, and Medvedev had his chances, but never long enough to feel the match was outside of Alcaraz’s control.
"It was a little but unusual," Alcaraz said of the opening set, whch featured five combined service breaks. "I'm really happy that I didn't lose the focus so long."
Facing a constant barrage, Medvedev did himself in with a botched overhead attempt down break point at 5-5 in the first. An Alcaraz hold gave him a one-set edge, and applied yet more pressure on his opponent.
"When you're one set up, it's a little bit easier," said Alcaraz, "playing against Daniil with more confidence."
Alcaraz cleaned up his game further in the second set. He was never broken, and after five games had grabbed a lead he wouldn’t relent. A combination of breathtaking offense and defense—coupled with a fortunate net-cord winner than zoomed over Medvedev’s racquet—gave him a 3-2 advantage.
Medvedev then saw the physio.
"Sometimes you think, 'OK, he's done,'" said Alcaraz of his adversary's ailment. "He's not done. You have to keep fighting, you have to keep playing the same way you were playing before. That's what I tried to do."
Only perfect play would have kept Medvedev afloat at 3-5. And though he wiped away three match points—two with essentially flawless serves—he could only watch as an Alcaraz forehand winner sealed the semifinal.
And now, we will watch to see what Alcaraz does next—and who it will be against. ⬇️