WATCH: Daniil Medvedev pretends to get hit, makes Carlos Alcaraz apologize to him in hilarious trick at China Open
Daniil Medvedev playfully tricked Carlos Alcaraz by pretending to get hit during their China Open semifinal clash. The incident occurred during the second set of the match.
Alcaraz advanced to the semifinals of the ATP 500 event following a straight-set victory over Karen Khachanov. The Spaniard controlled the match from the start, defeating the Russian 7-5, 6-2. Similarly, Medvedev dominated Flavio Cobolli in straight sets in the quarterfinals, winning 6-2, 6-4.
Medvedev lost the first set 5-7 to Alcaraz but secured a 1-0 lead in the second set. In the second game, with Alcaraz leading 40-0, Medvedev caught him off guard with a playful prank.
The four-time Major champion fired a quick-serve, which Medvedev returned with a backhand. However, the Russian wasn’t prepared for the swift forehand that followed, and the ball appeared to hit him. Moreover, the 28-year-old's exaggerated reaction—pretending to be in pain while clutching his knee—was so convincing that Alcaraz briefly checked on him.
However, Medvedev ended the act with a smile, indicating that he was okay. Watch the video shared by the Tennis Letter on X below:
Carlos Alcaraz went on to win the second set 6-3 and the match, which lasted 88 minutes. With this victory, Alcaraz improved his head-to-head record to 6-2 against the Russian.
Carlos Alcaraz will face Jannik Sinner at the 2024 China Open final
Carlos Alcaraz is set to face Jannik Sinner in the China Open final. Sinner started the Asian swing following a successful North American hard-court campaign, winning the Cincinnati Open and the 2024 US Open.
The Italian later dominated at the China Open, defeating Nicolas Jarry, Roman Safiullin, and Jiri Lehecka and setting up a semifinal clash against home favorite Yunchaokete Bu. Sinner easily claimed the first set 6-3 and despite the second set going to a tiebreaker, won it 7-6(3) to secure his spot in the final.
The 2024 China Open final will mark the 10th encounter between the top two seeds. Their head-to-head record is closely contested, with Carlos Alcaraz holding a narrow lead at 5-4. The 21-year-old also emerged victorious in their most recent match, which took place at the 2024 French Open.
Sinner and Alcaraz also met in the semifinals of the China Open last year, where the 23-year-old prevailed. Sinner later went on to win the tournament by defeating Daniil Medvedev in the final.