In Beijing
Relentless Alcaraz takes down Khachanov in Beijing, sets up Medvedev QF clash
The Spanish leapfrogs Zverev to number 2 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings
September 30, 2024
Jade Gao/AFP via Getty Images
Carlos Alcaraz is a 15-time tour-level champion.
Written by Andy West
Carlos Alcaraz made it to the semifinals at the China Open again.
The Spaniard on Monday produced a high-quality 7-5, 6-2 victory over Karen Khachanov to book her final spot at the ATP 500 in Beijing. Alcaraz was a constant threat in the return games during the 96-minute encounter with Khachanov, who showed plenty of quality but was unable to match his opponent’s relentlessness from the start.
“I always try to be aggressive, hit hard shots, and I feel like I’m not afraid to show that,” said Alcaraz, who has won his last seven tour-level matches. “To try again and again. That’s what I’m feeling right now.
“In the previous games everything went well so I can’t complain at all. I know I have to keep trying. I hit the ball very well, I move well, and I don’t let my opponents show their best tennis. It’s like a match is in my style. That’s what I love and want in all sports.”
The semi-final of the consecutive Beijing 🔥@carlosalcaraz returns to the final four in @ChinaOpen.#China Open pic.twitter.com/0zQ0p7szqO
– ATP Tour (@atptour) September 30, 2024
Second-seeded Alcaraz, who fell to eventual champion Jannik Sinner in the semifinals last year in Beijing, converted four of his 12 points against Khachanov, according to Infosys ATP Stats. With his 46th tour-level match win in 2024, the 21-year-old moved up one spot to replace Alexander Zverev as No. 2 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.
Alcaraz also leapfrogged Zverev into second place in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin thanks to Monday’s victory. The Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion, who has already qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals, is 2,890 points behind top seed Sinner in the ATP Year-End No. 1 presented courtesy of PIF. The Italian could extend his lead later on Monday, however, when he faces Jiri Lehecka in the Beijing quarter-finals.
Waiting for Alcaraz in the last four in the capital of China will be Daniil Medvedev. The third seed defeated Flavio Cobolli 6-2, 6-4 to continue his bid for his first ATP Tour title of 2024. Alcaraz leads Medvedev 5-2 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series and has won both of their tour-level meetings so far. season at Indian Wells and Wimbledon, respectively.
“It’s always difficult to deal with Medvedev,” said Alcaraz. “I played good games against him at the beginning of this year and in the last few years. I am ready to take that challenge, to try to play my best tennis to surpass him. It’s always a battle. Long games, long rallies, when I play with him, but I’m ready for the challenge.”
