China Open Day 6: Alcaraz and Ruud to clash again, Dimitrov advances to the quarterfinals

On Sunday, as Chinese fans welcomed the National Day, they also ushered in the 6th day of the 2023 China Open. The last eight of the men’s singles have been settled, while the women’s singles continue with the first round matches.

Top seed and two-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz defeated Italian rising star Lorenzo Musetti 6-2 6-2, successfully advancing to the quarterfinals and also earning his 60 tour-level wins in 2023.

Seventh seed Casper Ruud overcame a 0-4 deficit in the third-set tie-break and edged past Tomas Martin Etcheverry 1-6 7-5 7-6(7), successfully joining Alcaraz in the quarterfinals.

No.6 seed Jannik Sinner accelerated past Yoshihito Nishioka to reach the quarter-final. Former tournament runner-up Grigor Dimitrov avenged his loss at the 2023 Wimbledon, defeating third seed Holger Rune 6-3 7-5. He will meet Sinner again in the quarterfinals.

In the highlight match of the women’s singles first round, 2023 Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka defeated 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 6-1 6-2. 

2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova was upset by Anhelina Kalinina 6-1 4-6 1-6. 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko reversed qualifier Eva Lys 2-6 6-3 6-2 to advance. 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova suffered her second loss to qualifier Mirra Andreeva 2-6 2-6. Wang Xiyu was reversed 7-6(6) 5-7 3-6 by Petra Kvitova.

In other matches, wildcard Tian Fangran lost to Linda Noskova 4-6 2-6. Former Australian Open runner-up Jennifer Brady defeated her American fellow Peyton Stearns 6-4 6-2. Liudmila Samsonova overpowered Alycia Parks 6-4 7-6(4). Jasmine Paolini came back from a set to beat Beatriz Haddad Maia 3-6 6-4 6-4. Daria Saville swept Katerina Siniakova 6-2 6-2. Yulia Putintseva defeated Marie Bouzkova 6-2 7-6(5). Linda Fruhvirtova prevailed 6-0, 6-3 against Arantxa Rus. Katie Boulter overcame another qualifier, Magdalena Frech, 6-4 3-6 6-2.

In the quarterfinals of the men’s doubles, Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov overpowered qualifying pair Alexander Erler and Lucas Miedler 7-5 7-6(4) to advance to the semifinals. Top seed Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek clinched a 7-6(5), 4-6, 11-9 win against Alexander Zverev and Marcelo Melo.

In women’s doubles, Xu Yifan and Tereza Mihalikova beat No.5 seeds Demi Schuurs and Desirae Krawczyk, ending Xu’s 11-match losing streak against Schuurs.

No.7 seeds Shuko Aoyama and Ena Shibahara were defeated by Nadiia Kichenok and Monica Niculescu 3-6, 3-6. Kristina Mladenovic and Caroline Garcia reversed Alycia Parks and Yanina Wickmayer 2-6 7-6(5) 10-6. Magda Linette, who upset Victoria Azarenka, paired with Peyton Stearns to defeat Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Martina Trevisan 6-1 7-6(5).