Jannik Sinner leaves Beijing with a title, a career-high ranking, and a step closer to the ATP Finals

By Steve Tignor Oct 04, 2023

Can Jannik Sinner, who pinned back Carlos Alcaraz, get his first win over Medvedev in the Beijing final?

By Steve Tignor Oct 03, 2023

Beijing, China

Daniil Medvedev advances to China Open quarterfinals, Andrey Rublev crashes out

The No. 2 seed overcame a characteristically tenacious Alex de Minaur to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the China Open, while Rublev fell to Ugo Humbert.

ByAssociated Press

Published Sep 30, 2023

Advertising

BEIJING (AP)—Third-ranked Daniil Medvedev showed composure to overcome a characteristically tenacious Alex de Minaur on Saturday, and secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the China Open.

Medvedev, seeded second in Beijing, emerged with a 7-6 (3), 6-3 win, but not before his 12th-ranked Australian opponent had staged a comeback from trailing 5-2 in the first set to force a tiebreaker.

"It's crazy how every time he is down in a match, you know he is going to start playing like he is No. 1 in the world," Medvedev said. "Tough to play against him, a tough victory, but I am happy with my level."

"Confidence is key. When I am in good shape and good form, I have this ability to win these kinds of matches in straight sets. If I'm missing just 2% of what I'm doing right now, that's when it's tougher."

The Russian will next face Ugo Humbert on Monday, after the Frenchman upset fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (3).

Humbert thwarted Rublev's attempt to serve out the match at 5-3 in the final set and then completed the comeback victory with a dominant tiebreaker.

Nicolas Jarry, who eliminated fourth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas in the previous round, beat qualifier Matteo Arnaldi 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4), 6-3.

Eighth-seeded Alexander Zverev plays Alejandro Davidovich Fokina later Saturday.

Advertising