China Open: Sinner beats Lehecka, returns to semi-finals in Beijing

Jannik Sinner defeated Jiri Lehecka 6-2, 7-6 (6) to advance to the semi-finals of the China Open at the Olympic Green Tennis Center in Beijing.

The Italian world No 1 put aside recent off-court issues to come through in impressive fashion against the immensely talented young Czech to return to the semi-finals of the China Open and keep his title defence alive.

Two breaks of serve in a comfortable first set for Sinner earned him a deserved one-set lead, before Lehecka’s true quality shone through in a much tighter second, which required a tiebreak after both players successfully defended their serve throughout.

It was the world No 1 who clinched the breaker, however, taking it 8-6 to narrowly avoid a third-set decidcer.

Sinner will face the winner of the match between Russian Andrey Rublev, the No 4 seed, and Chinese wildcard Yunchaokete Bu next.

In the previous rounds of the Beijing tournament, the Italian won against Chilean Nicolas Jarry (4-6, 6-3, 6-1) and Russian lucky loser Roman Safiullin (3-6, 6-2, 6-3).

Lehecka, ranked No 37, defeated Spaniard Pedro Martinez Portero (7-6 (4), 6-2) and Spanish qualifier Roberto Bautista Agut (3-6, 6-2, 6-1) earlier in the tournament.

Beijing ATP 500, other last-eight results (Olympic Green Tennis Center, hard, USD 3.720.165, most recent results first):

• Andrey Rublev vs. Yunchaokete Bu: monday
• Carlos Alcaraz (2) beat Karen Khachanov (7): 7-5, 6-2
• Daniil Medvedev (3) beat Flavio Cobolli: 6-2, 6-4