BEIJING – World No. 1 Jannik Sinner overcame the ongoing scrutiny surrounding his doping case to join Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals of the China Open on Monday.
The defending champion, now on a 14-match winning streak, secured his spot in the semis by defeating Jiri Lehecka 6-2, 7-6 (8/6). His next challenge will be Chinese wildcard Bu Yunchaokete.
The 23-year-old Sinner is facing renewed attention after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced on Saturday that it was seeking a two-year ban following his positive tests for the steroid clostebol in March. While the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) cleared Sinner of any wrongdoing in August—accepting his explanation that the substance entered his system via treatment from his physiotherapist—WADA has appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Reflecting on the situation, Sinner admitted that the period has been tough, stating, “I’ve had sleepless nights, and this is another difficult time.”
On the court, Sinner fought through two set points in the second set to defeat the Czech Republic’s 37th-ranked Lehecka. Sinner will now be the clear favorite against Bu, the lowest-ranked semi-finalist in the tournament since 2008.
In another semi-final, four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz will face last year’s runner-up Medvedev after the Spanish star battled past Russian seventh seed Karen Khachanov 7-5, 6-2. Medvedev advanced after defeating unseeded Italian Flavio Cobolli 6-2, 6-4. “When he’s in form, he’s probably the best in the world,” Medvedev said of Alcaraz. “I think he’s in form now, so it’s a big challenge for me.”
**Osaka to Meet Gauff in ‘Showdown’**
In the women’s draw, Naomi Osaka set up a highly anticipated clash with Coco Gauff in the last 16. The former World No. 1 breezed past American Katie Volynets 6-3, 6-2. Osaka, now ranked 73, acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying, “It’s going to be a battle of who controls the points first, and I think that will be me.”
Osaka, who is playing her first event under coach Patrick Mouratoglou, has won four Grand Slam titles, including twice each at the US Open and Australian Open. Returning to competition after giving birth earlier this year, Osaka is aiming to find consistency as she steps back into the sport.
Meanwhile, World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka extended her winning streak to 14 matches by dispatching Ashlyn Krueger 6-2, 6-2. The US Open champion will now face fellow American Madison Keys in the next round.
Chinese Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen also enjoyed success, defeating Argentina’s Nadia Podoroska 6-3, 6-2 in her first match back in China since her Paris triumph. However, the tournament saw a surprise exit as third seed Jasmine Paolini fell 6-4, 6-0 to Magda Linette, the 31st seed.
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