Here’s everything you need to know about the China Open and Japan Open – both live on Sky Sports this week – including who’s playing in each tournament and which Brits are in…
Who is participating in the China Open?
At the China Open in Beijing, the women’s and men’s singles tournaments took place simultaneously – the WTA 1000 event and the ATP Tour 500 tournament.
Iga Swiatek won the women’s event in 2023, when the tournament returns for the first time in four years after the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The women’s No. 1, and five-time Grand Slam champion, withdrew last week ahead of her title defence, citing “personal issues”.
Aryna Sabalenkafresh from his US Open win, will now serve as the top seed, with Jessica Pegula – which he defeated in the title at Flushing Meadows – the second seed. 2019 champion Naomi Osaka has been given a wildcard to the main round, while the two-time champion Caroline Wozniacki (2010, 2018) are also included in the field.
In the men’s tournament, world number 1 Jannik Dosa back to defend the title, when last year’s runner-up Daniel Medvedev well back, as four of the top five in the world take part – along with Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz.
No Novak Djokovic, though. The six-time China Open champion has opted to rest ahead of next week’s Rolex Shanghai Masters 1000 event.
Draper is seeded 10th at the Japan Open
England’s number 1 son Jack Draper are playing at the Japan Open, another ATP Tour 500 tournament also live on Sky Sports this week.
The 22-year-old starred at the US Open when he reached his first career Grand Slam semi-final earlier this month, breaking into the top 20 in the world.
Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Highlights of the US Open semi-final between Jannik Dosa and Jack Draper
“I want to get to a position where I’ve consistently won and played at a high level last week,” Draper said ahead of the Japan Open, where he was seeded 10th.
“I want to have a good Asian swing and a good indoor season. The work is not done yet. This period for me, I have played a lot of tennis and I have traveled a lot, it’s about taking care of myself, making sure I don’t break down.
“I want to stay motivated to finish the year in a strong way and of course have a long pre-season and work hard for my body and get ready for next year.”
American Ben Shelton back to defend his title, while compatriot Taylor Fritzwho wins in Japan in 2022, is the top seed for the tournament that is included France Tiafoe in the field.
Are other Brits involved in China?
While Draper is flying the flag for Great Britain in Japan, Cameron Norrie has pulled out of the China Open as he continues to recover from the arm injury that saw him withdraw from the US Open.
Number 1 British Women Katie Boulter it is among the WTA 1000 field in Beijing, seed 28, when Harriet Dart also included in the list of entries.
Heather Watson defeated Elsa Jacquemot 2-6 6-2 6-1 to advance to the second round of qualifying at WTA Beijing.
British Women’s No. 1 Katie Boulter is among the WTA 1000 field in Beijing
But, Emma Raducanu has withdrawn with a leg injury, the former US Open champion explained that he had sprained a ligament.
This is a difficult injury for Raducanu as with no ranking points to defend, he has a great chance to continue his progress from 70th in the world over the next few weeks.
“I think the rest of the year, as long as I’m healthy, I’m going to try and finish the season and play as many matches as I can,” the 2021 US Open champion said recently.
“It’s something I’m really light since the grass through (Washington) DC period. I haven’t played many points, even in practice.
“For me now, I just want to play matches and, in the meantime, work as little on the game as I can.”
Watch the China Open and Japan Open, live on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports + from Wednesday, September 25, with day one coverage from 4am.
What’s coming to Sky Sports Tennis in September?
- Japan Open – ATP 500 (September 25-October 1)
- China Open – ATP 500 (September 26-October 2)
- China Open – WTA 1000 (September 25-October 6)
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TV, the NOW streaming service and the Sky Sports app, giving Sky Sports subscribers access to more than 50 per cent of live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.
