China Open Men’s Semi-Finals Preview

After the China Open was downgraded to an ATP 500 event this year, it meant that the men’s tournament would finish earlier than the women’s event. Now, the competition has reached the semi-finals stage, with the battle for the top prize still very much alive. Top players like Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev have not disappointed, living up to their status as favorites. Here’s a preview of the final four matches.

Carlos Alcaraz vs Daniil Medvedev

All eyes will be on Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev as these two tennis superstars meet for a semi-final showdown. Alcaraz has been in superb form since his early exit at the US Open last month. He played a vital role in helping Team Europe win the Laver Cup, and since arriving in China, he has demolished his opponents. In his last three matches, he hasn’t dropped a set, indicating an excellent run of form. In the quarter-final against Karen Khachanov, he faced some challenges but ultimately prevailed 7-5, 6-2.

Now, he will face Medvedev, a player he has met seven times in his professional career. Alcaraz leads the head-to-head 5-2. Their most recent clash was in this year’s Wimbledon semi-finals, where Alcaraz came from a set down to win in four sets, booking a final against Novak Djokovic, which he went on to win. This will be their third meeting this season, with Alcaraz having previously defeated Medvedev 7-6, 6-1 at Indian Wells.

Fatigue may play a role in this match, as Medvedev has spent 4 hours and 41 minutes on court since the start of the tournament, compared to Alcaraz’s 3 hours and 53 minutes. Overall, it promises to be a thrilling encounter, as Medvedev will be eager to reach his second consecutive final at the China Open, having lost to Jannik Sinner last year.

Jannik Sinner vs Yunchaokete Bu

Jannik Sinner has been exceptional on court throughout the year. There’s no doubt he has held the world No. 1 ranking for months now. In China, he is on a quest to defend his title, which he won last year by defeating Daniil Medvedev in straight sets. What’s surprising is how well Sinner has continued to perform despite the dark cloud hanging over him. Following news that he tested positive for a banned substance, many expected him to struggle, but that hasn’t been the case. On Sunday, WADA announced they would appeal the initial decision after Sinner was cleared to compete.

Instead of slowing down, Sinner has elevated his game. He clinched the US Open title and is now on course to win in Beijing. He has extended his unbeaten run to 14 matches after defeating Jiri Lehecka 6-2, 7-6 to reach the semi-finals. This year, the 23-year-old Italian has 58 victories—more than any other player. Impressively, Sinner has won 50 consecutive matches against players ranked outside the top 20, showcasing his world-class level. In Beijing, he dropped a set in his first two matches (against Nicolas Jarry and Roman Safiullin) but managed to come out on top.

Sinner now meets a surprise semi-finalist in Yunchaokete Bu of China. The 22-year-old fan favorite has played the best tennis of his career, with the crowd fully behind him. For his astonishing performance, Bu will break into the top 100 in the world rankings for the first time. He has only dropped one set on his way to the last four, which came in his first match, before cruising past tough opponents Lorenzo Musetti and Andrey Rublev in straight sets—despite being given little chance. He is preparing to play the biggest match of his life on Tuesday. If he continues his red-hot form, he might pull off a huge surprise, but it won’t be easy. Regardless, this match will serve as an important learning experience for the rising star.