Carlos Alcaraz given ‘extra confidence’ after thumping Casper Ruud in straight sets to reach semi-final in Beijing
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Updated 02/10/2023 at 16:41 GMT
It’s 12 semi-finals and counting this season for Carlos Alcaraz who raced to a spot in the last four of the China Open with victory over Casper Ruud. The 20-year-old struck 30 winners against the Norwegian and broke him four times to boost his chances of ending the year as world No.1. “To beat a player like Casper in straight sets is really good. These kind of matches give you extra confidence."
Highlights: Alcaraz recovers from early stumble to beat Ruud at China Open
Carlos Alcaraz eased into his 12th semi-final of the season with a convincing straight-sets win over seventh seed Casper Ruud at the China Open in Beijing.
The Spaniard’s hopes of finishing the year as world No.1 have increased with his 61st tour-level win this year and a 12th semi-final.
The 20-year-old, who came through 6-4 6-2, will take on Jannik Sinner in the semi-final as he eyes his seventh title of the season.
"I am very happy," Alcaraz said. "To be able to beat a player like Casper in straight sets is really good. It means you are playing well.
“It is really tough, big rallies at the beginning of the match, but I am really happy with the level.
“Being able to find solutions after the start of the first set. These kind of matches give you extra confidence."
Alcaraz struck 30 winners against Ruud and broke the Norwegian four times in a dominant display that was concluded in one hour and 45 minutes.
The Wimbledon champion has already beaten Lorenzo Musetti and Yannick Hanfmann in China.
Elsewhere, Sinner beat Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 3-6 6-2 to set up a last-four clash on Diamond Court with Alcaraz on Tuesday.
The Italian had already seen off Brit Dan Evans in three sets in the first round, before cruising past Yoshihito Nishioka to reach the last right.
In the other semi-final, Alexander Zverev will meet Daniil Medvedev to complete a mouthwatering final four.
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