Alcaraz to face Medvedev in China Open last four

Four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz will face last year's runner-up Daniil Medvedev in the China Open semifinals after both rolled through in straight sets on Monday.

Back-to-back Beijing semi-finals 🔥@carlosalcaraz returns to the final four at the @ChinaOpen.#ChinaOpen pic.twitter.com/0zQ0p7szqO

— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 30, 2024

Spanish second seed Alcaraz emerged from a tense first set to defeat Russian seventh seed Karen Khachanov 7-5, 6-2 in Beijing.

Serving at 4-4 in the first set, Khachanov eventually held after a gruelling game in which both players gave up multiple game points when Alcaraz put his forehand long.

👋 SEMI-FINALS 👋@DaniilMedwed defeats Cobolli 6-2 6-4 to reach the final four for the sixth time this season.@ChinaOpen | #ChinaOpen pic.twitter.com/3Objutji9H

— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 30, 2024

It was to be only a temporary reprieve.

The 21-year-old Alcaraz had the Russian under pressure once again at 5-5 and this time the world No 3 made no mistake, grabbing the break and then holding his own serve to go a set up.

Door shut 🚪@carlosalcaraz seals the opening set against Khachanov, 7-5.@ChinaOpen | #ChinaOpen pic.twitter.com/D89wtPBaUB

— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 30, 2024

Alcaraz, who recorded his 200th tour-level win on Sunday, broke for 3-2 on the way to winning a more comfortable second set.

The Russian third seed Medvedev, who lost last year's final to Jannik Sinner, beat unseeded Italian Flavio Cobolli 6-2, 6-4 in his quarterfinal.

Alcaraz and 2021 US Open champion Medvedev have met seven times before with the Spaniard winning five of their meetings, most recently in the semifinals at Wimbledon.

Alcaraz went on to beat Novak Djokovic in the final and retain his title.