By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Saturday, September 28, 2024
Top-seeded Jannik Sinner and third-seeded Daniil Medvedev withstood challenges to continue winning paths at the China Open.
Photo credit: Shi Tang/Getty
Champions tamed tough challenges to burst into Beijing quarterfinals.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner rallied past lucky loser Roman Safiullin 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 at the China Open.
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Defending champion Sinner scored his 13th consecutive victory following title runs in Cincinnati and Flushing Meadows where he defeated Taylor Fritz in the US Open final.
At the US Open, Sinner dropped his first set of the tournament to Mackenzie McDonald then won 21 of his next 22 sets to charge to his second Grand Slam championship.
In Beijing, Sinner has rallied from a set down in both of his victories—over Nicolas Jarry in his opener and over Safiullin today—setting up a quarterfinal clash vs. Jiri Lehecka.
The hard-hitting Lehecka lashed 12 aces against one double fault and won 30 of 36 first-serve points defeating qualifier Roberto Bautista Agut 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.
A year ago, Sinner defeated Grigor Dimitrov, Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev in succession to win Beijing.
Today, Medvedev subdued nemesis Adrian Mannarino 7-6(6), 6-2, to level his career head-to-head with the Frenchman at 4-4.
World No. 5 Medvedev advanced to his 75th career quarterfinal, including his eighth quarterfinal of the 2024 season. The 28-year-old Medvedev meets Flavio Cobolli for a semifinal spot.