Daniil Medvedev of Russia gives a thumbs-up gesture after defeating Adrian Mannarino of France (not pictured) in the men's singles round of 16 at the China Open in Beijing, China, September 28, 2024. /CFP
Third-seeded Russian Daniil Medvedev advanced to the quarterfinals at the China Open after beating Adrian Mannarino of France in straight sets 7-6(8-6), 6-2 in the round of 16 on Saturday in Beijing.
Mannarino went in looking to upset the 2021 US Open champion, and pounded a forehand down the line on the way to levelling the first set at 4-4.
The opening frame went to a tiebreaker and Medvedev angled a forehand that the world number 44 couldn't handle, en route to taking it 8-6.
After beating another Frenchman, Gael Monfils, for his 40th win of the year, the fifth-ranked Russian was looking to further boost his push to reach November's ATP Finals and landed a forehand in the corner to convert a break, as he went in front 3-2 in the second set.
Medvedev did not drop another game and wrapped up the second set 6-2. The 28-year-old is through to his 75th Tour-level quarterfinal and will next face Italy's Flavio Cabolli, who beat Russia's Pavel Kotov 6-4, 6-2.
Jannik Sinner of Italy serves against Roman Safiullin of Russia (not pictured) in the men's singles round of 16 at the China Open in Beijing, China, September 28, 2024. /CFP
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner of Italy battled back from one set down to overcome Roman Safiullin of Russia 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the last 16 at the China Open.
"It was similar to the first-round match. I struggled a little bit, especially with my serve in the first set. He (Safiullin) was returning very well and playing very strong from the baseline. I just tried to react. I changed a couple of things in the second set, which then helped me get in the rhythm of the match," Sinner said.
"Of course, if I want to win the next round, I have to raise my level," added the 23-year-old, two-time Grand Slam winner, who will meet Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals.