After a first set largely won 6-2, the world number one had to battle in the second act by saving two equalizing balls in one set throughout the decisive game. Sinner concluded his 14th consecutive success on his first match point.
“We always try to improve day by day and I feel like the result comes from the level you play at throughout the season, your consistency as a player. You also have to be mentally ready for it. So we try to stay in the present moment. We know what we did this season, which is very good for me. But with each match, we see that we can improve, which is very good,” rejoiced the winner of the day after the match.
Sinner, number one in the ATP rankings, will face the winner of the match between Russian Andrey Rublev, seeded No. 4, and Chinese wild card Yunchaokete Bu in the semi-finals of the China Open.
The Italian won against the Chilean Nicolas Jarry (4-6, 6-3, 6-1), and against the Russian lucky loser Roman Safiullin (3-6, 6-2, 6-3), before his qualification against Lehecka, 37th ATP world player, Monday.
Jiri Lehecka eliminated the Spaniard Pedro Martinez Portero (7-6 [4]6-2), and Spanish qualifier Roberto Bautista Agut (3-6, 6-2, 6-1).
The other quarter-final matches in Beijing (ATP 500, Olympic Green Tennis Center, hard, 3,720,165 USD, results displayed from newest to oldest):
- Andrey Rublev – Yunchaokete Bu: scheduled for Monday
- Carlos Alcaraz (N.2) – Karen Khachanov (N.7) : 7-5, 6-2
- Daniil Medvedev (N.3) – Flavio Cobolli: 6-2, 6-4
