The Asian swing is here and we are back for our first episode since the US Open with plenty to catch up on and even more to look forward to. We recap what happened while we were away, break down the Tokyo and Beijing ATP 500 draws, preview the China Open WTA 1000 and celebrate the biggest week in Australian women's tennis in years.
The Japan Open 2026 in Tokyo is one of the strongest ATP 500 fields in recent memory. Carlos Alcaraz headlines as defending champion and top seed, with Taylor Fritz, Rafael Jodar, Frances Tiafoe, Holger Rune, Casper Ruud and Tommy Paul all in a 32-man draw with no easy matches anywhere. Rune makes his return to Tour tennis after 11 months out with an Achilles injury, Joao Fonseca could feature through qualifying after an administrative mix-up, and Jodar arrives as the fourth seed fresh off a remarkable 2026 season. We make our picks and debate how close Alcaraz actually is to his best tennis.
In Beijing, the China Open 2026 ATP 500 has one unmissable storyline. Novak Djokovic is 29-0 at this tournament and has not played in Beijing since winning his sixth title there in 2015. Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Learner Tien and Alex de Minaur complete a stacked field. We debate whether Djokovic's unbeaten Beijing record or his 2026 form tells you more about what to expect.
On the women's side, the China Open WTA 1000 in Beijing features world number one Elena Rybakina as top seed, with Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Mirra Andreeva and Linda Noskova all in contention. Gauff and Swiatek are projected to meet in the quarter-finals and Sabalenka against Naomi Osaka looms as another blockbuster. We break down every quarter and make our picks.
And we celebrate the biggest week in Australian women's tennis since Ash Barty. Kimberley Birrell won her first WTA title in Seoul, beating compatriot Maya Joint in an all-Australian final. Talia Gibson reached the Singapore WTA 500 final before falling to Leylah Fernandez. Three Aussie women in two finals in one week. We give it the flowers it deserves.
You gotta earn your serves.
