The world number one, Jannik Sinner, received some bad news yesterday. WADA will appeal the verdict of his doping case. He could be suspended for a year as a consequence. As for now, Sinner can only affect what happens on the court. He will face Jiri Lehecka in the QF. Carlos Alcaraz will square off with Karen Kachanov at the China Open in Beijing.
Carlos Alcaraz has reached the QF after two solid wins at the ATP 500 China Open. The world number 3 and the winner of both Wimbledon and The French Open this season hasn’t lost a set in Beijing. Arthur Fils played really well in the opening round against Carlos, but the Spaniard won in straight sets (6-4, 6-4). In the second round, Alcaraz won against Tallon Griekspoor in two sets (6-1, 6-2). Carlos is the second seed at the China Open, and he has won 43 and lost 9 matches on the ATP tour in 2024. The 21-year-old was the hero for Team Europe recently at the Laver Cup in Berlin. That was a nice bounce back for him after the early exit at the US Open.
Khachanov and Alcaraz have played each other three times so far in their careers. All of the matches have been played on clay (Madrid, Hamburg & Roland Garros). Alcaraz has won all of them, Carlos is up 3-0 in matches and 7-0 in total sets. This is the first match between them in 2024 and their first that is not played on clay, which I am sure Khachanov is thankful for. Karen hasn't lost a set yet at the China Open in Beijing. In the first round, Karen won against Carballes Baena (6-4, 6-4). Khachanov had a really tough match in the second round when he squared off with Cerundolo and won after two tough tiebreaks. Karen is currently ranked at the 27th spot, and he is 28 years old at this point. He has won 23 and lost 18 matches on the tour in 2024. Karen has one title to his name this season (ATP 250 Doha).
Jannik Sinner will surely like to show the world how strong he is mentally and win this match with all the noise going around. At this point, we do not know when the decision from WADA will come regarding his potential suspension. Jannik has been freed by the ATP, but we will have to wait and see what is going to happen in this case. Sinner has won both of his matches at the China Open in three sets. Jannik defeated Jarry in the first round (4-6, 6-3, 6-1), and in the second round, he beat Safiullin (3-6, 6-2, 6-3). Sinner’s had a great year with two Grand Slams and six titles in total on the ATP tour in 2024. A 7th title in Beijing would be really sweet for him considering the circumstances.
The 22-year-old Jiri Lehecka from the Czech Republic is a player to watch closely moving forward. Sinner and Jiri have played each other once before on the ATP tour. Sinner won the match in Indian Wells six months ago in two straight sets. Lehecka had a nice spring on the tour, and it will be very interesting to see how well, or not, he will play this time around. Lehecka did not play on the tour from the ATP 1000 Masters in Madrid to the Masters in Cincy. He missed more than three months and some of the biggest events on the ATP tour. Lehecka started the season with the title in Adelaide, and he is currently ranked at the 37th spot in the world. He has won 23 and lost 13 matches on the ATP tour in 2024. Lehecka has defeated Martinez and Bautista Agut in the first two rounds of the Japan Open in Beijing.
SINNER VS LEHECKA
2.57
LEHECKA TO WIN A SET - YES
SINNER VS LEHECKA
2.57
LEHECKA TO WIN A SET - YES
KHACHANOV VS ALCARAZ
1.31
KHACHANOV TO WIN A SET - NO
KHACHANOV VS ALCARAZ
1.31
KHACHANOV TO WIN A SET - NO
