DPA
Beijing
Carlos Alcaraz powered into a fifth ATP final of the season after defeating Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-3 in Beijing on Tuesday.
The Spaniard increased his winning streak in tour matches to eight after prevailing in a roller-coaster first set including five breaks of serve.
He then wrapped up the win in 88 minutes, with world number one and defending champion Jannik Sinner or Chinese wildcard Bu Yunchaokete waiting in Wednesday’s China Open final.
“I think we both started the match pretty well,” Alcaraz said. “It was a little bit unusual, with serve being broken many times in the first set.
“I’m really happy that I didn’t lose my focus too long in the first set. After that, once you are one set up, it’s a little bit easier, playing against Daniil with more confidence.”
In the women’s tournament, which is only at the last-16 stage, Spain’s Paula Badosa recorded a surprise 6-4, 6-0 win over second seed Jessica Pegula.
Home hope Zhang Shuai also progressed while Naomi Osaka against Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka against Madison Keys take place on Wednesday.
French duo Arthur Fils and Ugo Humbert are meeting in the men’s Japan Open final later.
