|
The second-ranked Alcaraz, who beat the Italian
in Beijing on Wednesday for his fourth title of the year,
recorded his 10th consecutive win with a 6-2, 6-2 result against
19-year-old Shang Juncheng of China.
The 21-year-old Spaniard won the first nine points of the match
and four of seven break points as he rushed into a third-round
meeting with another Chinese player, Wu Yibing.
“I’m not used to playing against players younger than me,”
Alcaraz said. “He has been playing good tennis lately, lifting
his first ATP (title in Chengdu), so I’m pretty sure he’s going
to climb the rankings. I’m just happy to to be able to win these
kinds of matches."
Sinner, who is dealing with an ongoing doping case, had a
comfortable 6-1, 6-4 outing against Taro Daniel of Japan for his
250th career win.
The Italian, who won the U.S Open last month for his second
major of the year, fired 12 aces and 38 winners.
“I felt quite comfortable today,” said the 23-year-old Sinner,
who next plays Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina. “I feel in
good shape also physically, which is very important for me. Of
course I will try to improve for tomorrow’s performance, but
today I was serving really, really well, especially in important
moments, and was moving well.”
No. 65-ranked Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic broke
sixth-ranked Andrey Rublev seven times on his way to an upset
6-7 (7), 6-4, 6-3 victory.
Yosuke Watanuki also had a surprise win, beating No. 35-ranked
Brendan Nakashima 7-6 (4), 6-3. The Japanese qualifier plays
either seventh-ranked Taylor Fritz of the U.S. or French
qualifier Terence Atmane next.
Also, 24th-ranked Alexei Popyrin of Australia beat Miomir
Kecmanovic of Serbia 6-3, 6-2.
Later Saturday, third-ranked Alexander Zverev began his campaign
against Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci, while fourth-ranked
Novak Djokovic faced Alex Michelsen of the United States.
All contents © copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights
reserved |
|
