Sinner, Alcaraz through to semis
Top-ranked Jannik Sinner moved into the semifinals of the China Open with a 6-2 7-6(6) victory over Jiri Lehecka. Just two days after the World Anti-Doping Agency announced it was seeking a ban of one to two years for the US Open champion, who tested positive twice for an anabolic steroid in March, the 23-year-old Italian didn’t appear distracted as he quickly got to grips with the No. 37-ranked Lehecka’s serve in a dominant first set.
Third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the semifinals for the second straight year after an impressive 7-5 6-2 victory against Karen Khachanov.
Alcaraz will face Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals, after the fifth-ranked Russian beat Flavio Cobolli of Italy 6-2 6-4.
Aryna Sabalenka’s dominant hard-court season showed no signs of slowing down as she cruised to a 6-2 6-2 win over Ashlyn Krueger for her 14th consecutive victory.
Former No. 1 Naomi Osaka continued her positive start with new coach Patrick Mouratoglou with a 6-3 6-2 victory over Katie Volynets, advancing to a pre-quarterfinal match against sixth-ranked Coco Gauff.
