Carlos Alcaraz will face Daniil Medvedev in a blockbuster China Open semi-final matchup after downing Karen Khachanov in the last eight. (More Tennis News)

The four-time grand slam champion needed just 96 minutes on court to beat Khachanov 7-5 6-2, easing through the second set after fending off some early pressure.

Alcaraz, who registered his 200th career victory last time out against Tallon Griekspoor, went a break up five games into the opener but was immediately pegged back, only to convert his seventh break point to seize the initiative once more. 

Back-to-back breaks midway through the second set then did the trick for Alcaraz, who dropped just two points on his own serve after clinching the opener.

The 21-year-old, whose victory saw him leapfrog Alexander Zverev to go second in the ATP rankings, said: "I always try to be aggressive, hitting strong shots, and I feel like I'm not afraid to show that. 

"That's what I'm feeling right now. In the past matches, everything went well, and I'm not letting my opponents show their best tennis. That's what I like and what I want in every match."

BY Stats Perform

He will face Medvedev for a place in the final after the Russian registered his own straight-sets win over Flavio Cobolli on Monday.

Medvedev was forced to save 10 of 11 break points during his 6-2 6-4 win, which was far more competitive than the scoreline suggested.

186 - Since the start of the 2020 season, Daniil Medvedev has now claimed 186 ATP match wins on hard court - the most of any player over that span on the surface and 22 more than the next-best, Jannik Sinner (164). Specialist.#ChinaOpen | @ChinaOpen @atptour @ATPMediaInfo pic.twitter.com/DD92FyIx10

Data Debrief: Medvedev's hard-court mastery 

Since the start of the 2020 season, Medvedev has now registered 186 ATP victories at hard-court events.

That is the most of any player on the surface and puts him some 22 wins clear of second-placed Jannik Sinnerhexa988, who is a potential final opponent if he can overcome Alcaraz in the last four.

• 2024
• China
• open
• Carlos
• hexa988