The tennis world lit up with electrifying action on Sunday, September 28, 2025, as top contenders battled for supremacy at the China Open in Beijing and the Japan Open in Tokyo. With high-stakes matches and nail-biting finishes, fans were treated to a showcase of grit, resilience, and emerging storylines that could shape the season’s final stretch.
At the heart of the China Open drama, French Open champion Coco Gauff faced a stern test against Leylah Fernandez. The defending champion, who has quickly become a crowd favorite in Beijing, was made to work for every point in a tense three-set battle. Gauff took the opening set 6-4, but Fernandez, undeterred, stormed back to claim the second 6-4. The deciding set was a rollercoaster, with both players trading breaks and momentum swings. Ultimately, Gauff broke Fernandez in the twelfth game of the final set, sealing a 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 victory that sent her into the third round.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Gauff, who admitted to feeling the pressure as she tried to serve out the match in the third. The crowd, firmly in her corner, erupted as she finally clinched the win. Now, Gauff prepares for a third-round showdown against either No. 16 seed Belinda Bencic or Australian Priscilla Hon, both of whom have proven their mettle on the WTA circuit. The anticipation is palpable—can Gauff maintain her composure and continue her title defense?
Elsewhere in the women’s draw, upsets and retirements kept the tournament unpredictable. Eva Lys delivered one of the day’s surprises by defeating No. 10 seed Elena Rybakina 6-3, 1-6, 6-4. Lys, a rising star, showcased her ability to hang tough against higher-ranked opponents, especially after dropping the second set in lopsided fashion. Her resilience in the third set earned her a well-deserved spot in the next round, and she’ll be one to watch as the tournament progresses.
Another twist came in the match between American McCartney Kessler and Barbora Krejcikova. After dropping the first set 1-6, Kessler rallied to take the second 7-5 and surged ahead 3-0 in the third before Krejcikova was forced to retire. The abrupt ending denied fans a full conclusion, but Kessler’s comeback spirit was undeniable. With her next opponent yet to be determined, Kessler’s confidence will surely be riding high after such a dramatic turn of events.
The China Open isn’t just about the women’s draw—on the men’s side, the ATP 500 event is producing its own share of fireworks. Second-seeded Alexander Zverev found himself in a dogfight with the tenacious Corentin Moutet. After taking the first set 7-5, Zverev dropped the second 3-6 and was staring down a break deficit in the decider. But Zverev, known for his fighting spirit, clawed back to win 6-3 in the third, booking his place in the quarterfinals.
His next challenge? None other than Daniil Medvedev, who dispatched Alejandro Davidovich Fokina with a convincing 6-3, 6-3 victory. Medvedev, a perennial threat on hard courts, looked sharp throughout, controlling rallies and serving with authority. The upcoming Zverev-Medvedev clash promises to be a blockbuster, with both men eager to claim a crucial late-season title and valuable ranking points.
Another storyline unfolding in Beijing involved Lorenzo Musetti, who, fresh off a public apology to Chinese fans, delivered a straight-sets win over the experienced Adrian Mannarino. Musetti’s 6-3, 6-3 victory signaled a return to form and set up a quarterfinal meeting with the young American Learner Tien. Tien, for his part, breezed past Flavio Cobolli 6-3, 6-2, marking another step forward in his promising career. The Musetti-Tien matchup offers an intriguing blend of youthful energy and tactical prowess—who will blink first under the Beijing lights?
While Beijing stole much of the spotlight, the Japan Open in Tokyo added its own layer of excitement, thanks to Carlos Alcaraz’s relentless march through the draw. The 22-year-old Spaniard, already a household name, notched his 65th match win of the season by defeating Brandon Nakashima 6-2, 6-4. This victory ties Alcaraz’s personal-best tally for wins in a single season—a remarkable feat that underscores his consistency and hunger for more.
“It’s great to go through, to play another semifinal,” Alcaraz said after the match, his trademark grin on full display. “It’s special because it’s the first time I am playing here in Japan and here in Tokyo, so to reach the semifinals in my first appearance is something great.” According to the ATP Tour, Alcaraz also had 65 wins in 2023, making this season another banner year for the young star.
Alcaraz’s semifinal opponent will be fourth-seeded Casper Ruud, who dispatched Aleksandar Vukic 6-3, 6-2 with clinical efficiency. Ruud, known for his steady baseline game and mental toughness, presents a formidable challenge for Alcaraz. With both players in top form, their upcoming battle is sure to be a highlight of the tournament.
As the action unfolds across Asia, the concurrent scheduling of the China Open’s WTA 1000 and ATP 500 events has created a tennis festival atmosphere in Beijing. Fans have flocked to the courts, eager to witness the world’s best compete and to see which stories will define this year’s tournaments. For players like Gauff, Zverev, Medvedev, Musetti, and Alcaraz, every match is a chance to make history—or to stumble in the face of fierce competition.
With so many moving pieces and high-profile names still in the mix, the next few days promise even more drama. Will Coco Gauff continue her title defense and fend off the likes of Bencic or Hon? Can Alexander Zverev overcome Medvedev’s challenge and push deeper into the draw? And will Carlos Alcaraz break his own record for match wins in a single season?
One thing’s for sure: tennis fans are in for a treat as the tournaments in Beijing and Tokyo reach their climactic stages. The stakes are rising, the crowds are roaring, and the world’s top players are leaving it all on the court. Stay tuned—the best is yet to come.
