World's Best Tennis Players at the 2019 China Open to Grand Slam Our National Day Boredom

Stuck in Beijing for the Golden Week? Maybe it's not a complete loss after all. That's because starting Sep 28 (for women) and Sep 30 (for men), some of the best tennis players on earth are set to visit the capital and play this year's Beijing Open.

Daniil Medvedev, veritable 2019 tennis sensation and runner-up in this year's US Open, will try to continue his strong showing. Starting out ranked 16th in January, Medvedev is now the fourth-best ATP-ranked men's tennis player thanks to a win at the Cincinnati Masters 1000 this summer and a breathtaking finale in New York earlier this month, coming runner-up to world #2 Rafael Nadal. 

Even better, the woman's US Open winner, Bianca Andreescu (19 years old, ranked world #5), has also come along for the ride, announcing her attendance at the Beijing Open after her shock win against Serena Williams in New York.

Despite their rankings, winning in Beijing will not be an easy task for either Medvedev and Andreescu as they will both need to face several worthy opponents.

Among the men, all eyes will be on the next generation of players, each of whom is billed to take over the big three – Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic – all over 30 years old and each a dominant force in world men's tennis for years. Those fighting to usurp the masters are 21-year-old Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime (#21), battling to win his first tournament, while 23-year-old Russian Karen Khachanov (#9), and Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (21 years old, #7) will both try to add another tournament to their prize list. 

Beijing will also host a number of experienced players, starting with the former world #1 Andy Murray. The three-time Grand Slam winner is finally back on the courts after several years marred by injuries. The Scot, now ranked #413, has expressed that he's just happy to be fit again, though naysayers will be watching whether his stamina can take him through to win another tournament. You can also count on the craziness of Fabio Fognini to draw crowds. The 32-year-old Italian is arguably the most entertaining player in the world (for better or worse), and when he is in a good mood, also one of the world's best tennis players as his #11 rank indicates.

For the women, Canadian prodigy Andreescu will need to battle her way through a table full of stars: all this year's Grand Slam winners are set to take the courts of Beijing, including Australian Open winner Japanese Naomi Osaka (21 years old, #4), Roland Garros champion and 23-year-old world #1 Australian Ashleigh Barty, and Wimbledon champion Romanian Simona Halep (27 years old, #6). 

Not impressed yet? Last year's defending champion in Beijing, Danish Caroline Wozniacki (29 years old, #17) will try to maintain her grip on the trophy against US superstar Serena Williams (37 years old, #9) who is riding on 23 Grand Slams and the potential of a treble in the Chinese capital. The cherry on the cake is that she will be accompanied by older sister Venus Williams (39 years old, #59) who has been billed as a wild-card by the organizers.

The 2019 China Open at the Olympic Green Tennis Center begins on Sep 28 for women and Sep 30 for men. Both will have their finals on Oct 6. Get your tickets here.

READ: It's Still Not Too Late to Fly to Hong Kong for the October Holiday

Photos: Sports Net, Hindustan Times, CBC, Twipu