Alcaraz’s Dominating Victory over Khachanov Set Semifinal Clash with Medvedev at China Open 2024
Carlos Alcaraz, the third-ranked tennis star is back in the China Open 2024 semifinals for the second consecutive year after defeating Karen Khachanov 7-5, 6-2.
In just 96 minutes, Alcaraz’s unwavering baseline play proved to be the difference in the game as he overcame Khachanov, who was ranked No. 27, and converted four of his twelve break-point attempts.
With his usual unwavering approach from the baseline, the 21-year-old Spaniard shut down Khachanov’s service games, ranking No. 27. He also won in 96 minutes by converting four of his twelve service break opportunities.
“When they’re serving, I always try to put some pressure on them just to let them know that I’ll be there,” Alcaraz remarked. “They need to be willing to fight and play excellent tennis if they want to defeat me in the service game. That’s what I constantly attempt to demonstrate to them, in my opinion.
With his 46th victory of the year, Alcaraz moved back over Alexander Zverev to reclaim second position in the ATP live rankings. Alcaraz is the defending French Open and Wimbledon champion.
Following Daniil Medvedev’s 6-2, 6-4 victory against Flavio Cobolli of Italy, Alcaraz will take on the fifth-ranked Russian in the semifinals.
Still chasing his first championship of the year, Medvedev finished with a strong 88-minute triumph, committing 16 fewer unintentional fouls than the Italian and converting four of his eight breakpoint opportunities.
Earlier, in a match postponed from Sunday due to rain, Andrey Rublev defeated Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-4, 7-5.
With 21 victories and six aces, No. 6 rated Rublev improved his career record against Davidovich Fokina to 5-0.
Later on Monday, in the quarterfinals, the fifth-seeded Russian faced the 96th-ranked Bu Yunchaokete, a local favorite.
