Alcaraz’s 200th career win marks a significant milestone as he barrels into the China Open quarter-finals.
Alcaraz’s Quick Victory in Beijing
Carlos Alcaraz continues to build on his already impressive tennis career by barreling into the China Open quarter-finals after defeating Tallon Griekspoor in just 56 minutes. The 6-1, 6-2 victory under the roof of Beijing’s Diamond Court came despite rain delays that had impacted the overall schedule of play.
Alcaraz delivered an emphatic performance, marked by his precision, intensity, and ability to convert key break points. In this third-round clash, the Spaniard fired off four aces and won five out of seven break points, leaving no chance for his Dutch opponent, Griekspoor, to gain a foothold in the match. The defeat of Griekspoor also happens to mirror Alcaraz’s 100th career win, further underlining his dominance.
Charly being Charly 
@carlosalcaraz #ChinaOpen pic.twitter.com/gksTCrnspQ
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) September 30, 2024
Alcaraz’s Milestone: 200 Wins
With this victory, Alcaraz reached a monumental milestone in his young but already extraordinary career. He now has 200 career tour victories, making him the second-fastest player among the 29 who have reached the top of the world rankings to hit this landmark. This milestone came in Alcaraz’s 252nd professional match.
Only John McEnroe, a tennis legend, reached 200 wins in fewer matches, achieving the feat in 245 matches. Alcaraz managed to outpace the likes of Rafael Nadal, who took 255 matches, Novak Djokovic (274 matches), and Roger Federer, who reached the milestone in 302 matches.
“Carlos is reaching a level of maturity in his game that’s quite extraordinary for someone his age. His ability to handle pressure, convert break points, and stay consistent makes him a top contender for any tournament he enters,” commented an expert at the China Open.
Post-Olympic Form and Season-Ending Ambitions
Despite Alcaraz not being at his peak form since losing the Paris Olympic final to Novak Djokovic, this emphatic win signals a strong statement of intent as he aims to finish the 2024 season on a high note. With four Grand Slam titles already in his bag, the young Spaniard is eyeing more victories before the season’s end.
It has been a rollercoaster season for Alcaraz, highlighted by his recent performance in the Olympics, where he made it to the final but was outclassed by Djokovic. However, this decisive win over Griekspoor indicates that Alcaraz is recalibrating as he prepares to face more challenges in the tournament.
Upcoming Quarter-Final: Karen Khachanov
Alcaraz’s next opponent in the China Open quarter-finals will be Russian player Karen Khachanov, who advanced after a tight match against Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo. Khachanov clinched his spot with two closely fought tiebreak sets, 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (11/9). The looming contest between Alcaraz and Khachanov promises to be a thrilling encounter, given both players’ current form and aggressive playing styles.
The match will be watched closely as Alcaraz continues to chase more titles while fine-tuning his game towards the season’s close.
Local Hero Bu Yunchaokete’s Upset Win
In another notable match, local favorite Bu Yunchaokete shocked the crowd by upsetting Paris Olympics bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti. The 22-year-old Chinese player recorded a 6-2, 6-4 win, marking his first victory against a top-20 player.
Yunchaokete’s triumph sent ripples through the tournament, as Musetti had been a favorite to progress further. However, Yunchaokete showcased skill and resilience, defeating Musetti comfortably to book his place in the next round.
Pegula Prevails in Marathon Match
In the women’s draw, Jessica Pegula delivered another strong performance to advance to the fourth round. The American, ranked third in the world, had to battle through a tough first set before overcoming Veronika Kudermetova in a 6-7 (9), 6-1, 6-2 victory.
Pegula’s resilience was on full display as she rebounded from a lengthy and physically draining first-set tiebreaker, which Kudermetova claimed 7-6 after 20 grueling points. Pegula then shifted gears, breaking her Russian opponent’s serve twice in each of the following sets to seal the win in just over two-and-a-half hours.
This victory marks Pegula’s first win against Kudermetova in three attempts, making the win particularly sweet. The American will face the 15th-seeded Spaniard Paola Badosa in the next round after Badosa’s 7-5, 7-5 win over Serbian Rebecca Sramkova.
Pegula has been in outstanding form of late, having won 17 of her last 19 matches, including her successful title defense in Toronto. Her only defeats during this period came at the hands of world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
Editorial Insight
“Jessica Pegula has shown an exceptional ability to adapt mid-match, which is what separates the good players from the great. She has an elite mental game, and that’s allowed her to consistently push deep into tournaments this season,” said a former top-ranked player now turned analyst.
Pegula will undoubtedly continue to be one to watch as the China Open progresses.
Other Key Results in Women’s Draw
In other women’s matches, Poland’s Magdalena Frech produced a strong comeback after losing the first set 0-6 to overcome the 12th-seeded Diana Shnaider. Frech won the next two sets 6-3, 6-4, showcasing her fighting spirit. She will now face wildcard Zhang Shuai, ranked 595th, in the next round after Zhang’s 6-2, 6-3 victory over Belgium’s Greet Minnen.
Zhang’s impressive win as a wildcard entry is a testament to her talent, as she overcame a higher-ranked player with relative ease. The wildcard system continues to allow lesser-known players to make their mark on the sport, and Zhang’s victory is a clear example of its potential.
Looking Ahead
With quarter-final matches now shaping up and several big names still in the draw, the China Open promises more high-quality tennis action as the world’s top players continue to battle it out for the title. All eyes will be on Alcaraz and Pegula as they push forward in their respective draws, with each aiming to cap their seasons in style.
This year’s edition of the China Open is already filled with surprises, upsets, and stellar performances, leaving tennis fans eagerly awaiting the outcome of the next few days of play.
