World number one Novak Djokovic returns to action in Tokyo this week as he looks to end the year at the top of the ATP rankings.
The Serb hasn’t played since retiring against Stan Wawrinka in the fourth round at the US Open due to a shoulder injury.
However Djokovic looks to be ready for the remainder of the season and will head to Tokyo in order to gain some crucial ranking points.
As rival Rafael Nadal takes some much needed rest, the Serb has a chunk of ranking points to defend in Shanghai, Paris and the ATP Finals.
Failing to defend these ranking points could see Nadal overtake the Wimbledon champion as world number one without having to play too much tennis.
In Tokyo, Djokovic faces a qualifier in his first match before possibly taking on the in-form Jan-Lennard Struff in the second round.
A potential quarter-final against 5th seed Lucas Pouille looks unlikely though, considering the Frenchman’s form and his first round opponent is a player he has been beaten by twice this season in Hubert Hurkacz.
Other threats in the draw include Borna Coric, David Goffin and Alex De Minaur, who is continuing to make strides in Zhuhai this week.
Here is the full draw, with main draw action starting on Monday:
Tokyo singles draw pic.twitter.com/1DEXETlscI
— Michal Samulski (@MichalSamulski) September 28, 2019
Race To London Heats Up In Beijing
Alongside Tokyo, another ATP 500 event takes place this week at the China Open in Beijing with the main focus being on the race to London.
Dominic Thiem is the top seed and will look to edge closer to qualifying for the season-ending finale this week un the Chinese capital.
The Austrian will have to get past tricky Frenchman Richard Gasquet in the first round in order to make good strides in Beijing though.
Another player who is currently in the top eight is Italian Matteo Berrettini, who is a potential last eight opponent for Thiem.
However Berrettini will face a rejuvenated Andy Murray in the opening round who will look to improve his fitness again this week after spending nearly five hours on court in Zhuhai.
The likes of Alexander Zverev and Fabio Fognini will look to apply pressure the top eight as four spots remain for this year’s ATP Finals.
There is another encounter with Frances Tiafoe for Zverev while Fognini will take on Mikhail Kukushkin in his first match.
ATP500 Beijing singles draw pic.twitter.com/GYMfRf7036
— Michal Samulski (@MichalSamulski) September 28, 2019
