Scouting report
Scouting Report: Sinner and Alcaraz to headline Beijing; Fritz and defending champion Shelton to battle in Tokyo
A recap of what each fan must know in regards to the week forward
September 24, 2024
ATP tour
Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz will probably be in motion on the ATP Tour this week.
By ATP workers
Tensions are mounting in Asia, particularly forward of the 2 extremely anticipated ATP 500 hardcourt tournaments in Beijing and Tokyo.
After successful his second main title on the US Open earlier this month, Jannik Sinner is again in motion on the ATP Tour. He hopes to efficiently defend his title on the China Open in opposition to a robust discipline of individuals together with Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev.
In Tokyo, former champions Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton are among the many contenders for the title on the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships.
ATPTour.com seems at 5 issues to search for at each occasion.
FIVE THINGS TO WATCH FOR IN BEIJING
1) Protection of the Sinner’s Title: Jannik Sinner soared to glory eventually 12 months’s China Open, beating each Alcaraz and sixth-seeded Medvedev en path to the title. The Italian is now No. 1 within the PIF ATP Rankings, a two-time Grand Slam champion, and appears set to efficiently defend the title in Beijing.
2) Will Alcaraz get better? Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shock second-round defeat on the US Open to Botic van de Zandschulp and, after main Workforce Europe to glory on the Laver Cup, the Spaniard returns to China with a degree to show. The 21-year-old is third within the PIF ATP Reside Race To Turin, 1,590 factors forward of Medvedev, and is gunning for his fourth title of the season.
3) Dwelling Hope Zhang: Chinese language star Zhang Zhizhen returns to Beijing for the primary time since 2019, when he misplaced within the second spherical to eventual champion Dominic Thiem. The explosive 27-year-old comes into the match on the again of run on the Hangzhou Open, the place he’ll play the ultimate on Tuesday, and presents loads of hope for the house crowd. Different Chinese language stars to look at embody #NextGenATP Shang Juncheng, who will play within the remaining in Chengdu on Tuesday.
4) Can Medvedev take revenge for his defeat in 2023? Daniil Medvedev misplaced to Sinner in final 12 months’s thrilling remaining in Beijing, however the 28-year-old will probably be eager to rewrite the script this time round if they’re to cross paths. Following his conquer Medvedev within the quarter-finals of the US Open, Sinner has closed the hole to 6-7 of their Lexus ATP Head2Head collection.
5) Koolhof/Mektic hunt for a spot in Turin: Wesley Koolhof and Nikola Mektic, presently ranked ninth within the PIF ATP Reside Doubles Groups Rankings, are all however assured of an necessary spot on the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin. Nevertheless, they might want to rating factors once they begin their Asian tour in Beijing.
FIVE THINGS TO SEE IN TOKYO
1) Feelgood Fritz goals for Turin: Taylor Fritz will probably be hoping to keep up the shape that took him to a primary main remaining on the US Open. The 26-year-old, who’s having fun with his finest season on tour, is fifth within the PIF ATP Reside Race To Turin and has a robust likelihood of creating his second look on the Nitto ATP Finals. Fritz will face #NextGenATP Frenchman Arthur Fils in Tokyo.
Learn preview of the Tokyo draw
2) Defending champion Shelton again in Tokyo: Ben Shelton returns to the place the place he gained his first ATP Tour title 12 months in the past. It was the fruits of a robust finish to the 2023 season for the 21-year-old, who additionally reached the semi-finals of the US Open. The American misplaced to Frances Tiafoe in a five-set blockbuster within the third spherical at Flushing Meadows this 12 months. The eighth seed will play compatriot Reilly Opelka within the first spherical.
3) American threats on each road nook: Fritz and Shelton are joined in the principle draw by Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe, two different American males who’re additionally within the Prime 20 of the PIF ATP Rankings. Brandon Nakashima earned a particular bye for his deep run on the Hangzhou Open. Paul is eleventh within the PIF ATP Reside Race To Turin and 570 factors behind eighth-seeded Alex de Minaur, who’s sitting out of Tokyo on account of harm.
4) Wildcard for Nishikori: Two-time champion Kei Nishikori was given a wildcard to return to Tokyo for the primary time since 2018. The previous No. 4 within the PIF ATP rankings has been suffering from accidents in current instances, however has labored his approach again to his previous degree with spectacular tennis. The 34-year-old reached the quarter-finals on the ATP Challenger Tour occasion in Genoa, however got here up brief in opposition to Chinese language left-hander #NextGenATP Shang within the first spherical of the Chengdu Open final week.
5) Hurkacz and Ruud are among the many stars to look at: The eight seeded gamers within the singles draw are all within the Prime 20 of the PIF ATP Rankings. Different stars to look at embody second seed Hubert Hurkacz, third seed Casper Ruud, fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas and sixth seed Holger Rune. Crucially, Ruud is sixth within the PIF ATP Reside Race To Turin and is seeking to make his return to the Nitto ATP Finals after lacking out a 12 months in the past.