Carlos Alcaraz delivered an exceptional performance to defeat Daniil Medvedev on Tuesday, securing his spot in the China Open final for the first time in his career. The 21-year-old Spaniard, seeded second, triumphed 7-5, 6-3, showcasing his high-caliber play as he prepares to face either world number one Jannik Sinner or Chinese wildcard Bu Yunchaokete in the men’s final in Beijing.
Medvedev, the Russian third seed, had hoped to replicate his run to last year’s final, where he fell to Italy’s Sinner. However, the 27-year-old appeared frustrated throughout the match and required medical attention twice during the second set for a troublesome left leg. Despite his efforts, Medvedev was unable to overcome Alcaraz’s precision and relentless energy.
“I think I played really well. If I want to beat Daniil, I have to produce high-quality tennis,” Alcaraz said after the match. The four-time Grand Slam champion has yet to drop a set throughout the tournament. “I felt great on the court again, and I couldn’t ask for a better semi-final.”
Following their intense battle, the two competitors shared a respectful moment at the net. Medvedev, with a touch of humor, mentioned he should consider dressing up as Botic van de Zandschulp—the unseeded Dutch player who shocked Alcaraz in the second round of the recent US Open—perhaps in an attempt to reverse his fortunes. “Maybe this could help,” Medvedev quipped. “Today, I played well, but I don’t see how I could have beaten him.”
Alcaraz now looks to capture his 16th ATP Tour title in the final on Wednesday.
Zhang Shuai’s Remarkable Renaissance Continues
In the women’s draw, China’s Zhang Shuai continues her fairytale resurgence, advancing to the quarter-finals in Beijing. Her 6-4, 6-2 victory over Poland’s Magdalena Frech was her fourth consecutive win, all secured in straight sets. Zhang’s achievement is particularly extraordinary, as she entered the tournament on a 24-match losing streak in singles, spanning more than 600 days—the second-longest drought in WTA history during the Open Era.
The 35-year-old, a former two-time Grand Slam quarter-finalist, had been battling injuries and was on the verge of quitting singles tennis before arriving in Beijing. “I had no idea how to win anymore,” Zhang admitted. “I didn’t want to lose again, especially with all the Chinese fans cheering for me.”
In a dramatic turnaround, Zhang has defied the odds, becoming the lowest-ranked player (currently 595th) to ever reach the quarter-finals of the China Open. Her defiant, arms-crossed celebration—an homage to footballer Kylian Mbappé—captured the crowd’s enthusiasm as she knocked out the 31st-ranked Frech on China’s national day.
Zhang now faces Spain’s Paula Badosa, the 19th-ranked player in the world, in the next round.
Meanwhile, Badosa produced a commanding 6-4, 6-0 victory over US Open finalist Jessica Pegula, making the American the highest-seeded player to exit the tournament thus far. Top seed Aryna Sabalenka remains in contention and will face Madison Keys in the last 16, while world number one Iga Świątek has withdrawn from the competition due to personal reasons.
