(Beijing) World No. 1 Jannik Sinner advanced to the semi-finals of the China Tennis Open after defeating Jiri Lehecka 6-2, 7-6 (6) on Monday.
Two days after the World Anti-Doping Agency announced it wanted a one- to two-year ban imposed on the U.S. Open champion, the 23-year-old Italian quickly took control of the match against Lehecka, the 37e world player.
The reigning tournament champion was faced with two set points at 4-6 in the second set tiebreaker, but he ultimately managed to emerge victorious from a 14e match in a row. He will face in the semi-finals the winner of the duel which will take place later today between the Russian Andrey Rublev, fifth seed of the tournament, and the local favorite and 96e world racket, Bu Yunchaokete.
“I’m very happy with my reaction in the crucial moments,” Sinner said. I feel like I can still improve some aspects of my game, and I hope that will come to fruition tomorrow (Tuesday). »
Earlier in the day, Carlos Alcaraz reached the semi-finals for a second consecutive year after defeating Karen Khachanov 7-5, 6-2.
PHOTO GREG BAKER, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Carlos Alcaraz
The 21-year-old Spaniard was uncompromising at the back of the court, completely muzzled the serve of 27e world player and converted four of his 12 break points, en route to victory after 96 minutes of play.
“I always try to apply pressure when they are serving, to remind them that I am there,” Alcaraz explained. If they want to win the serve game or defeat me, then they will have to fight and play very good tennis. This is what I constantly try to convey as a message. »
It was the 46e victory for Alcaraz this season, and this allowed the French Open and Wimbledon champion to regain second place in the world rankings from the absent German Alexander Zverev.
Alcaraz will meet Daniil Medvedev in the final four, after the Russian, fifth player in the world, managed to defeat the Italian Flavio Cobolli 6-2, 6-4.
Medvedev, who is still looking for his first title this season, made 16 fewer errors than his opponent, and he converted four of his eight break points. He thus sealed the outcome of the match after 88 minutes.
Earlier in the day, Andrey Rublev defeated Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-4, 7-5. This match, which began on Sunday, ended on Monday due to an interruption caused by rain.
Rublev, world No. 6, fired six aces and 21 winners to improve his career record against Davidovich Fokina to 5-0.
Sabalenka continues her momentum
In the women’s category, Aryna Sabalenka continued her impressive streak on hard courts by crushing Ashlyn Krueger 6-2, 6-2, obtaining her 14th place in the process.e consecutive victory.
PHOTO TINGSHU WANG, REUTERS
Aryna Sabalenka
The holder of three career major titles began this streak by winning the title at the Cincinnati Open in August, before triumphing at the United States Open earlier this month. She also won the Australian Open earlier this year.
Sabalenka, the second player in the world, converted five of her seven break points in this one-sided duel. She will face Madison Keys in the next round, and will then try to match her longest career winning streak, which is 15 matches and which was established in 2020-21.
“Well, right now I’m not playing very good tennis,” Sabalenka said. However, I believe that the way I manage my emotions and keep my cool helps me in most situations, those tough situations where I have to continue to fight and play good tennis. »
For her part, Keys beat Brazilian Beatrice Haddad Maia 6-3, 6-3. Haddad Maia won the South Korea Open last week, but had difficulty neutralizing Keys’ power from the baseline.
For her part, former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka continued her momentum with her new coach Patrick Mouratoglou and scored a 6-3, 6-2 victory against Katie Volynets. She will cross swords with the American Coco Gauff in the round of 16.
This will be the first duel between the Japanese and the American in more than two years, and the series between them is tied 2-2.
Osaka, which currently occupies 73e world ranking following her return from maternity leave, fired five aces and recorded three breaks.
She hired Mouratoglou shortly before the China Open, after thanking Wim Fisette. Since then, she has had her first three-victory streak since May.
Furthermore, the Italian Jasmine Paolini was manhandled 6-4, 6-0 by the Polish Magda Linette, 45e world player.
Humbert slows down Machac in Japan
In Tokyo, Ugo Humbert slowed down a comeback from Tomas Machac to win 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 in the semi-final of the Japan Open.
The Frenchman, 19e in the world, will try to improve his record to 6-0 in the final of an ATP tournament, when he crosses swords with his compatriot Arthur Fils in the final on Tuesday.
Son, 24e world player, ousted sixth seed Holger Rune 7-6 (8), 7-6 (10) in the other semi-final.