Beijing: on top Janic Sinner set out to defeat Roman Safiulin 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the second round China Open on Saturday and after that it was revealed that his steroid case is not over yet.
When Sinner was on the court in Beijing, World Anti-Doping Agency announced it was seeking a one- to two-year ban for the US Open champion, who tested positive twice for anabolic steroids in March, but an independent tribunal announced on August 20 the International Tennis Integrity Agency He was not suspended because the ITIA determined he was not guilty.
The fate of the sinner will now be determined by the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport after wada Said he filed an appeal on Thursday.
“Obviously, I’m very disappointed by this appeal and, to be honest, surprised because we’ve had three hearings,” Sinner said in a press conference after his match on Saturday. “All three hearings were very positive for me.
“You know, I didn’t expect this. I knew a few days ago, that they were going to appeal, that it was going to be official today. But yes, it’s a surprise.”
On court on Saturday, the two-time Grand Slam champion again found himself behind in the Chinese capital when Safiulin was broken twice to claim the opening set.
Sinner’s power and laser-like accuracy from the baseline gradually wore down her Russian opponent and helped the Italian win seven consecutive games at 2–2 in the second set to take the lead and secure a convincing win.
Sinner, who has reached at least the quarterfinals at every tour-level event he has played in 2024, will next face Jiri Lehka, who had earlier defeated Roberto Bautista Agut 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 .
third seeded Daniil MedvedevFrench legend Adrian Mannarino, who lost to Sinner in this year’s Australian Open final, also reached the last eight with a 7-6 (6), 6-2 win.
Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion, had eight aces and broke Mannarino four times to advance to his 75th tour-level quarterfinal.
“Obviously titles are more important than finals. But still 75 quarterfinals is great,” said Medvedev, who is Russian. “When I played my first quarterfinal (that) was in Moscow and I was very happy. And now it’s 75. I’m still happy, but not in the same way.”
He will next face Italy’s Flavio Caboli, who advanced with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Pavel Kotov.
US Open champion in women’s draw Arina Sabalenka Thai qualifier Mananchaya reached the third round with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Savangkau.
“In the first set, I was struggling a little bit with the rhythm,” said Sabalenka, whose best performance in Beijing has been only the quarterfinals. “In the second set, everything seemed to work much better. I think that’s why it was smoother and of better quality.”
Top seed in Beijing in absence of second-ranked Sabalenka inga swiatek,
Following the three-time major winner is American Ashlyn Krueger, who beat New Zealand’s Lulu Sun 6-1, 7-6(4).
Fifth-seeded Olympic champion Zheng Qianwen of China also advanced with a 6-1, 6-1 win over unseeded Kamila Rakhimova. Her next opponent Nadia Podoroska of Argentina is also unseeded.
Third seed Jasmine Paolini of Italy defeated Denmark’s Clara Tausen 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 after a poor performance in the first set. French Open and Wimbledon runner-up Paolini will play Poland’s Magda Linette as the 31st seed needed three sets to beat Moyuka Uchijima 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
Ninth seeded Daria Kasatkina of Russia defeated Croatia’s Jana Fett 6-1, 6-2. She will face Amanda Anisimova, who defeated Colombia’s Camila Osorio 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova was defeated by Romania’s Jacqueline Christian 1-6, 6-4, 7-5.
American 18th seed Madison Keys won 6-2, 6-1 against Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo and will now face 13th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil.
Japan Open Tomas Machak defeated fifth seed Tommy Paul 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(4) to reach the quarterfinals as a disappointing week continued for the top seeds in Tokyo.
Top seed Taylor Fritz, third seed Casper Ruud and fourth seed Stefaos Tsitsipas all lost in the first round, before second seed Hubert Hurkacz also bowed out, losing 6–4, 6–4 to US Open semi-finalist Jack Draper . In the second round.
Sixth-seeded Holger Roon is the highest-ranked player remaining in the draw. Denmark’s Rune defeated home favorite Yoshihito Nishioka 6-2, 6-4.
defending champion ben sheltonThe No. 8 seed is the only other seed left in the quarterfinal draw.
America’s Alex Michelson also advanced to a quarterfinal match against Machak after a 6-1, 6-4 win over Australian Christopher O’Connell.
Kei Nishikori defeated Jordan Thompson 6-2, 6-3 and will play Ruan in the quarterfinals.
