Jannik Sinner rallies for win, Aryna Sabalenka extends winning streak and Jack Draper through to doubles semi-finals
Jannik Sinner makes quarter-finals in Beijing as WADA appeals his doping verdict; Jack Draper into doubles semi-finals; watch all the ATP and WTA action on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+ which is integrated into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app
Jannik Sinner rallied to beat Roman Safiullin, while Aryna Sabalenka extended her winning streak and British No 1 Jack Draper made it through to the doubles semi-finals in Japan.
Sinner collected his second consecutive comeback win in Beijing as he rallied past Roman Safiullin 3-6 6-2 6-3 to maintain his record of having reached at least the quarter-finals at every tour-level event he has played in 2024.
Highlights of the China Open match between Jannik Sinner and Roman Safiullin
Sinner’s fate will now be determined by the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport after WADA filed an appeal.
The next challenge for the Italian will be a last-eight meeting with Jiri Lehecka, who earlier overcame Roberto Bautista Agut 3-6 6-2 6-1.
Third seed Daniil Medvedev defeated Adrian Mannarino 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 to set up a meeting with rising Italian Flavio Cobolli, who eliminated qualifier Pavel Kotov 6-4 6-2.
Highlights of the China Open match between Aryna Sabalenka and Mananchaya Sawangkaew.
Highlights of the China Open match between Aryna Sabalenka and Mananchaya Sawangkaew
In the women’s draw, US Open champion Sabalenka advanced to the third round with a 6-4 6-1 win over Thai qualifier Mananchaya Sawangkaew.
“In the first set, I was struggling a little bit with the rhythm,” said Sabalenka. “In the second set, seems like everything started working much better. I think that’s why it was more smooth and better quality.”
Next up for the three-time major winner is American Ashlyn Krueger, who beat New Zealand’s Lulu Sun 6-1 7-6 (7-4).
Qinwen Zheng eased into the third round with a 6-1 6-1 win against Kamilla Rakhimova.
Olympic gold medallist Zheng was backed by a 15,000 capacity crowd as she marked her return to Beijing.
The fifth seed won in an hour and 15 minutes and will next face Nadia Podoroska.
“Atmosphere was insane,” Zheng said. “I never thought it will be so full in the centre court. They put on my [favourite Chinese pop song]. They just did everything for me.
“Honestly when I played last year in China Open, I remember it wasn’t that full. Today I see t
here’s nearly no empty seat.”
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