(Beijing) Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz had no trouble reaching the quarter-finals of the China Open by defeating Lorenzo Musetti 6-2, 6-2 on Sunday.
Alcaraz, the tournament favorite, hit 18 winners and broke the Italian on four occasions in the 81-minute victory. He became the first player to win 60 matches on the ATP Tour this season.
“It was a perfect match for me today,” analyzed Alcaraz. You can improve and be better every day, but I was proud of my level of tennis. I played with high quality. I hit some very good shots and had some very good return of serve games. »
Alcaraz will now meet Norwegian Casper Ruud (No. 7), who worked hard to show Tomas Martin Etcheverry the exit door in three sets of 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7).
Later Sunday, No. 6 Jannik Sinner topped Yoshihito Nishioka 6-2, 6-0. He will face Grigor Dimitrov in the quarter-finals. The Bulgarian eliminated Holger Rune (No. 3) in two sets of 6-3, 7-5.
In her first match as the top player in the world rankings, Aryna Sabalenka dominated Sofia Kenin to win 6-1, 6-2 in the first round in Beijing.
The Belarusian hit 22 winners against just nine unforced errors against the 31st player in the world. Sabalenka confirmed her victory after working for 67 minutes, in her first outing since the U.S. Open.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect to play my serve so well,” Sabalenka analyzed. In training, it didn’t work well. I am very happy to have been able to provide this level of service today. I think it helped a lot. »
Sabalenka, who is seeking a fifth WTA title in China and a first since 2019, will now face Katie Boulter in the second round.
Anhelina Kalinina, for her part, surprised Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova (No. 8) in three sets of 1-6, 6-4, 6-1. The Ukrainian will now have in her path Daria Saville, who defeated Katerina Siniakova 6-2, 6-2.
Jelena Ostapenko (No. 13) came from behind to triumph 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 against Eva Lys. Qualifier Mirra Andreeva surprised Barbora Krejcikova (No. 10) 6-2, 6-2
Liudmila Samsonova, Jennifer Brady, Linda Fruhvirtova and Yulia Putintseva also won their first round duel.