Aryna Sabalenka Headlines China Open While Laver Cup Stars, Including Alcaraz, Gear Up for Tokyo and Beijing
The Asian swing in professional tennis is picking up momentum as top players head East for key tournaments in Tokyo and Beijing. With the fall season underway, both the ATP and WTA tours are entering the home stretch, and marquee names are set to take the courts.
On the men’s side, the Laver Cup provided an early showcase, but now stars like Carlos Alcaraz are ready to compete in the upcoming tournaments in Tokyo and Beijing. Meanwhile, on the women’s side, the spotlight is on Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff as they prepare for the prestigious WTA 1000 China Open in Beijing.
The women’s China Open boasts a hefty $8.9 million prize pool and has attracted seven of the WTA’s top 10 players. Defending champion Iga Świątek is a notable absentee, having withdrawn due to personal reasons, alongside Elena Rybakina, who is sidelined with a back injury, and Danielle Collins, who is out due to illness. Świątek’s absence is somewhat surprising, considering she won the title last year and her prior history with the tournament.
The top seeds in Beijing include world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula, both fresh off their deep runs at the US Open. Sabalenka, now firmly established as a force in women’s tennis, is looking to cap off an already successful season, while Pegula will aim to continue her strong form. Also competing are Madison Keys, who had an impressive run at the US Open, and Beatriz Haddad Maia, who enters the tournament on a high after winning the Seoul title over the weekend.
Over on the men’s side, the ATP 500 tournament in Tokyo and the ATP 1000 in Beijing are poised to deliver plenty of action. The ATP Beijing draw will be revealed on Tuesday morning Western time, and fans are eagerly awaiting to see the final placements for stars like Carlos Alcaraz, who will be one of the main attractions.
With the season winding down, these tournaments will play a crucial role in shaping the year-end rankings and the momentum going into 2024. Tennis fans can look forward to a thrilling finish to the season as the Asian swing kicks into high gear.
