Rafa, Serena top stunning Beijing bill
A total of 13 Grand Slam winners will grace the 2018 China Open in Beijing during the National Day holidays.
Asia’s premier combined tennis event has again assembled a star-studded cast as it celebrates its 15th anniversary, with world No 1 Rafael Nadal, two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, alltime greats Serena and Venus Williams and five-time major winner Maria Sharapova headlining a stunning cast at the National Tennis Center from Sept 23-Oct 7.
As one of only four WTA Premier Mandatory events, the outdoor hardcourt tournament never fails to attract the cream of the women’s game, with 1,000 ranking points and qualification for the year-end WTA Championship awarded to the winner in the 64-spot singles main draw.
With 44 of the world’s top 47-ranked women automatically qualified, the draw also features current No 1 and reigning Roland Garros champion Simona Halep, this year’s Wimbledon winner Angelique Kerber and Australian Open titlist Caroline Wozniacki.
Chinese No 1 Zhang Shuai, ranked 34th in the world, has also secured a place in the main draw, with more of her compatriots, such as this year’s Jiangxi Open winner Wang Qiang and Zheng Saisai, likely to obtain wildcards.
Wang boosted her chances of gaining entry on Friday by retaining her Asian Games singles crown with a straightsets triumph in the final over Zhang.
On the men’s side, 17-time Grand Slam champion Nadal will return to the capital to defend his title at the ATP 500 tournament.
The 32-year-old Spaniard will be expected to maintain his red-hot form in Beijing, having romped to an incredible 11th French Open title in June.
Former world No 1 and the tournament’s 2016 champion Murray will be keen for a deep run as he looks to rediscover his top form, having recently returned to action following hip surgery.
Others that could well be in the mix for glory include 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro, big-serving American John Isner, rising German star Alexander Zverev and Bulgarian world No 8 Grigor Dimitrov.
The tournament, which this year boasts a total prize pool over $11 million, will celebrate its 15th birthday under the slogan “15-Love”. Tickets are now on sale at tickets.chinaopen.com.