Carlos Alcaraz says what always happens when he plays Daniil Medvedev ahead of their China Open semi-final

Follow us on Google Discover

Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev will go head-to-head in the China Open semi-finals, not long after their Laver Cup success.

Spanish star Alcaraz enjoyed a record-breaking Laver Cup for Team Europe, with Medvedev also featuring in the 13-11 win over Team World.

Alcaraz just clinched his 200th ATP Tour win, and followed that round of 16 victory over Tallon Griekspoor with a quarter-final win over Karen Khachanov.

The Spaniard is yet to drop a set at the China Open, but Medvedev is in the same position after storming into the last four.

He has beaten the likes of Gael Monfils and Flavio Cobolli in Beijing, with the third seed now taking on second seed Alcaraz for a spot in the final.

Carlos Alcaraz expecting long rallies against Daniil Medvedev

The Spaniard leads the Russian 5-2 in their head-to-head meetings, with the former beating the latter at Indian Wells and Wimbledon this season.

But as per the ATP Tour website, Alcaraz is unsurprisingly expecting a tough test, saying of his opponent: “It’s always difficult facing Medvedev. I played great matches against him earlier this year and during the past couple of years.

“I’m ready to take that challenge, to try to play my best tennis to pass him. It’s always a war. Long matches, long rallies, when I play against him, but I’m ready for the challenge.”

Can Daniil Medvedev enact revenge on Carlos Alcaraz at the China Open?

While Alcaraz is looking near-unstoppable after his Laver Cup heroics, it is Medvedev who may just be more inspired to come out on top.

Not only does he know how big it would be to defeat the Spaniard, the Russian is seeking his first ATP Tour title of 2024.

Moreover, he came agonisingly close to glory at the 2023 China Open, but lost out in the final to Jannik Sinner.

Sinner beat Alcaraz in the semi-finals on his way to success in Beijing last time out, with the Spaniard therefore also having plenty of incentive to reach the final this year.

The world number one is likely to await the winner of the clash in the final, with Sinner now also into the semi-finals.