Carlos Alcaraz and Paula Badosa Shine in China Open Semifinals

Third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the final of the China Open with a decisive win over Daniil Medvedev. Meanwhile, Paula Badosa secured a quarterfinal spot with a victory over Jessica Pegula. The tournament has seen impressive performances from both established and rising stars, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion.

Carlos Alcaraz, ranked third in the world, showcased his athletic prowess as he reached the final of the China Open by defeating Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-3 on Tuesday.

"I felt great on the court once again, so I'm really happy about it," Alcaraz said. "I think I couldn't ask for a better semifinal." The four-time Grand Slam champion — including this year's French Open and Wimbledon — improved his head-to-head record against the Russian to 6-2. Alcaraz will face either top-ranked Jannik Sinner or Chinese wild card Bu Yunchaokete, who play later on Tuesday, in the final.

The 21-year-old Spaniard navigated a challenging first set with five breaks of serve, but clinched the set with a crucial service break in the 12th game. With the confidence of a set lead, Alcaraz accelerated his play, leaving Medvedev without answers and wrapping up the semifinal in 88 minutes. Alcaraz has now won eight straight matches, spanning the Davis Cup, Laver Cup, and Beijing, since his second-round loss at the U.S. Open to Botic van de Zandschulp.

On the women's side, Paula Badosa dominated Jessica Pegula to reach her eighth career quarterfinal at a WTA 1000-level event. From 3-1 down in the opening set, former No. 2-ranked Badosa reeled off 11 of the last 12 games to secure a 6-4, 6-0 victory in her first-ever win over the third-ranked American.

"She's one of the players I never want to face — she's very solid, hits very flat, and changes direction very well," said Badosa, who was 0-3 previously against Pegula. "I prepared myself for a battle, but today everything worked pretty well." Badosa will next face 35-year-old Chinese player Zhang Shuai, who continued her resurgence by defeating Magdalena Frech of Poland 6-4, 6-2. Zhang, who began the tournament on a 24-match losing streak and ranked No. 595, has yet to drop a set in her four matches this week.

The upset of the day came from Yuliia Starodubtseva of Ukraine, who defeated No. 14-ranked Anna Kalinskaya 7-5, 6-0. Starodubtseva, ranked No. 115, will play the winner of the anticipated match between Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals. The clash will mark the first meeting between the two Grand Slam champions in over two years, with their head-to-head series tied at 2-2.

(With inputs from agencies.)