China Open: 21-year-old Alcaraz through to 21st career final

Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, the second seed, won against Russian Daniil Medvedev, the No 3 seed, 7-5, 6-3 to advance to the final of the China Open on Tuesday.

The first set saw four consecutive breaks of serve before Alcaraz finally broke in the 11th game and then served out the set 7-5. In the second, Alcaraz broke to go up 3-2 and then against broke at 5-3 to close out the win in straight sets.

The win moved the 21-year-old into his fifth singles final of the season, and the 21st of his young career. He also improved to 7-1 in matches against top 5 opponents in 2024 (10-3 against top 10), his only top 5 loss coming to Novak Djokovic at the Paris Olympics. His wins over top 5 players is the most by any player on the men’s tour in 2024 (Jannik Sinner has six).

The victory also improves Alcaraz’s record against Medvedev to six wins against two losses, including wins in the last four successive matches.

Alcaraz, ranked No 3, will play the winner of the match between Italian Jannik Sinner, the top seed, and Chinese wildcard Yunchaokete Bu next at the Olympic Green Tennis Center in Beijing.

In the previous rounds of the tournament, the 21-year-old Spaniard beat Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (6-4, 6-4), Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor (6-1, 6-2) and Russian Karen Khachanov, the No 7 seed (7-5, 6-2).

Medvedev, ranked No 5, defeated Frenchman Gael Monfils (6-3, 6-4), Frenchman Adrian Mannarino (7-6 (6), 6-2) and Italian Flavio Cobolli (6-2, 6-4) earlier in the week.

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