https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/117/feed The latest tennis news, fixtures, match reports, grand slams and results. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Mike Chan Mike Chan Zheng Qinwen’s status as a Prudential Hong Kong Open participant lasted just six days, but the city’s top tennis official does not believe her withdrawal on Sunday has damaged the tournament’s credibility. The Olympic champion had previously pulled out of the Wuhan Open, citing injury and fatigue, but said last week she was excited about the prospect of making her Hong Kong debut next month. Now, however, she has opted to end her season altogether, just weeks after making history as the first... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3371333/bencic-fernandez-zheng-pulls-out-prudential-hong-kong-open https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3371333/bencic-fernandez-zheng-pulls-out-prudential-hong-kong-open Mon, 19 Oct 2026 01:32:18 +0000 Reuters Reuters Alejandro Davidovich Fokina ended Rafael Jodar’s dream run at the Shanghai Masters on Sunday, battling back to beat ‌his fellow Spaniard 1-6, 7-6, 6-4 and clinch the biggest title of his career. In Wuhan, meanwhile, French ⁠Open finalist ⁠Maja Chwalinska ⁠won her first title on the WTA tour as she shook off early nerves to beat Sonay ‌Kartal 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 at the Wuhan Open final. The 25th-seeded Davidovich Fokina is set to climb 13 places to a career-high world No 13 when the rankings are... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3371321/davidovich-fokina-beats-jodar-win-shanghai-crown-chwalinska-wins-first-title-wuhan https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3371321/davidovich-fokina-beats-jodar-win-shanghai-crown-chwalinska-wins-first-title-wuhan Sun, 18 Oct 2026 14:05:17 +0000 Reuters,Agence France-Presse Reuters,Agence France-Presse Top seed Alexander Zverev fell to a relentless Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the Shanghai Masters semi-finals on Saturday over three tense sets. Davidovich Fokina, ranked world No 26, fought back to win 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 and will play fellow Spaniard Rafael Jodar in the final on Sunday. The 20-year-old Jodar beat fifth-seed Daniil Medvedev, a decade his senior, 6-3, 6-4 to deny the Russian former world No 1 a chance to return to the championship match he won in 2019. Jodar, ranked 13th, started the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3371270/alexander-zverev-stunned-alejandro-davidovich-fokina-shanghai-semi-finals https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3371270/alexander-zverev-stunned-alejandro-davidovich-fokina-shanghai-semi-finals Sat, 17 Oct 2026 13:59:00 +0000 Reuters,Associated Press Reuters,Associated Press Golf’s Asian Tour has postponed the Saudi International indefinitely and cycling’s Urban World Championships have been cancelled following a deadly attack on Riyadh, although local organisers said next year’s Asian Cup football tournament remained on track. Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement claimed ‌responsibility for Saturday’s strike on Riyadh’s international airport that killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300. The Urban Cycling World Championships had been scheduled for... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3371147/asian-cup-football-remains-track-golf-cycling-events-affected-after-saudi-attack https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3371147/asian-cup-football-remains-track-golf-cycling-events-affected-after-saudi-attack Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:01:07 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Freshly crowned China Open champion Zheng Qinwen will be hoping to keep her renaissance on the court going when she makes her debut at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open in November. Zheng will be joined by Venus Williams, who is returning for the third time, and Alexandra Eala. The 24-year-old became the first Chinese player to clinch the Beijing title on Sunday and also made it to the US Open quarter-finals, losing to eventual champion Elena Rybakina in September. “I am delighted to be... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3370710/chinese-star-zheng-qinwen-delighted-make-debut-hong-kong-tennis-open https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3370710/chinese-star-zheng-qinwen-delighted-make-debut-hong-kong-tennis-open Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:07:02 +0000 Reuters Reuters Filipino star Alexandra Eala suffered a shock 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 first-round defeat against 217th-ranked Chinese qualifier Shi Han at the Wuhan Open on Monday, while seven-time grand slam champion Carlos Alcaraz ⁠lost ⁠7-5, 7-6 to ⁠unseeded Belgian Zizou Bergs in the Shanghai Masters. The result in Shanghai also confirmed Alexander Zverev as the ATP’s year-end world No 1. Eala, the 13th seed, missed last week’s China Open to compete in the Asian Games in Japan, where she claimed a bronze medal for... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3370638/alexander-zverev-ends-year-no-1-ranking-after-carlos-alcaraz-loss-shanghai-masters https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3370638/alexander-zverev-ends-year-no-1-ranking-after-carlos-alcaraz-loss-shanghai-masters Mon, 12 Oct 2026 15:38:36 +0000 Agence France-Presse,Agencies Agence France-Presse,Agencies Freshly crowned China Open champion Zheng Qinwen withdrew on Monday from her home tournament in Wuhan, citing fatigue and a right shoulder injury. Zheng became the first Chinese player to clinch the Beijing title on Sunday by defeating reigning Roland Garros champion Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-4 in the final. It was Zheng’s first WTA 1000-level triumph and her first title since winning Tokyo two years ago. “I’m very sorry to share that I will be withdrawing from this year’s Wuhan Open,” Zheng said in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3370542/china-open-champ-zheng-qinwen-withdraws-wuhan-citing-fatigue-shoulder-injury https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3370542/china-open-champ-zheng-qinwen-withdraws-wuhan-citing-fatigue-shoulder-injury Mon, 12 Oct 2026 09:00:07 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Zheng Qinwen became the first home winner of the China Open on Sunday as she beat Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-4, in front of a partisan crowd in Beijing. The former world No 4 and current Olympic champion was a wild-card entry, having struggled with form and fitness after elbow surgery in 2025. At one point this year she had dropped as low as 122nd in the world. It was the 54th-ranked Zheng’s first title in nearly two years, and her first ever at the WTA 1000 level, and tears filled... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3370507/zheng-qinwen-claims-china-open-title-beats-mirra-andreeva-straight-sets https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3370507/zheng-qinwen-claims-china-open-title-beats-mirra-andreeva-straight-sets Sun, 11 Oct 2026 13:36:56 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Cinemas across China will throw open their doors for a special showing on Sunday, but it isn’t the latest blockbuster fans are flocking to see – it’s tennis star Zheng Qinwen. The Olympic champion has finally broken her country’s China Open curse, and will be the first home player to compete in a singles final, men’s or women’s, since Chen Li lost to Chinese Taipei’s Wang Shi-ting in 1996. With the National Tennis Centre in Beijing selling out, cinemas across the mainland have opted to show the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3370487/china-cinemas-tap-zheng-tennis-fever-gripping-country-ahead-womens-final https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3370487/china-cinemas-tap-zheng-tennis-fever-gripping-country-ahead-womens-final Sun, 11 Oct 2026 08:00:16 +0000 Agencies Agencies A resurgent Zheng Qinwen charged into the China Open final on Saturday, beating Elise Mertens 7-5, 6-2, and will play Mirra Andreeva for the title at her home tournament. It is another step in the Olympic gold medallist’s injury comeback, following a gritty showing at last month’s US Open, where she reached the quarter-finals. Zheng, a former world No 4, had struggled with her form since needing elbow surgery in 2025 and is a wild-card entry in Beijing. “I had a great performance tonight,” said... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3370453/resurgent-home-favourite-zheng-qinwen-charges-china-open-final-mirra-andreeva https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3370453/resurgent-home-favourite-zheng-qinwen-charges-china-open-final-mirra-andreeva Sat, 10 Oct 2026 14:05:07 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Home-grown hero Zheng Qinwen pulled out some of her best tennis to beat Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina 6-3, 7-6 at the China Open on Friday and storm into the semi-finals. Zheng, a wild-card entry in Beijing, finally notched her first straight-sets win of this year’s tournament, having needed more than 10 hours on court to get to the quarter-final. The world No 54 sent the crowd roaring as she punched winners down the line, though the seventh-ranked Svitolina came back fighting to force a second-set... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3370357/wild-card-zheng-qinwen-finally-wins-straight-sets-reach-china-open-semi-finals https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3370357/wild-card-zheng-qinwen-finally-wins-straight-sets-reach-china-open-semi-finals Fri, 09 Oct 2026 09:41:06 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Coleman Wong Chak-lam’s historic men’s singles gold at the Asian Games had an impact far beyond earning him a spot at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics; it also secured tennis’ elite status in Hong Kong for another four years. Wong beat Wu Yibing of China in straight sets in the final at the Higashiyama Park Tennis Centre in Nagoya, becoming his city’s first singles winner at the continental Games. Bronze for Eudice Chong and Cody Wong Hong-yi in the women’s doubles made it the most successful Games... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/3370152/hong-kong-tennis-bosses-eye-golden-pipeline-after-coleman-wong-secures-sports-future https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/3370152/hong-kong-tennis-bosses-eye-golden-pipeline-after-coleman-wong-secures-sports-future Fri, 09 Oct 2026 00:00:13 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Tennis star Coleman Wong Chak-lam said he longed for nothing more than some decent rest at home and eating with friends after he returned to Hong Kong from a hectic two weeks involving three different cities. Off the back of a quarter-final appearance at the Hangzhou Open, Wong won five matches on the trot to win Asian Games gold in Nagoya, before breaking into the Shanghai Masters main draw following back-to-back wins in the qualifiers. Following his loss to Quentin Halys of France in straight... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/3370217/hong-kongs-coleman-wong-looking-ahead-rest-meals-friends-after-hectic-2-weeks https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/3370217/hong-kongs-coleman-wong-looking-ahead-rest-meals-friends-after-hectic-2-weeks Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:40:34 +0000 Agence France-Presse,Associated Press Agence France-Presse,Associated Press Daniil ⁠Medvedev ⁠was disqualified ⁠from his China Open semi-final clash with Novak Djokovic after ‌hitting a rebounding ball into the crowd, hitting a spectator in the eye. Earlier on Monday, home hope Zheng Qinwen survived another three-set test to advance to the last 16, while former world No 1 Iga Swiatek staged a comeback in Beijing. World No 5 Medvedev was trailing ‌his semi-final 7-5, 5-3 and had lost ‌a point when he ⁠hit ⁠the ball coming off ‌the wall. The spectator, who was ‌sitting in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3369813/zheng-qinwen-survives-another-three-set-test-china-open-djokovic-ousts-no-1-seed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3369813/zheng-qinwen-survives-another-three-set-test-china-open-djokovic-ousts-no-1-seed Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:00:09 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Hong Kong windsurfers Wong Tsz-ho and Cheung Tsz-yuet both won Asian Games titles on Saturday, taking the city’s gold medal count into double figures for the first time since its athletes started competing in the multi-sport event in 1954. With Coleman Wong Chak-lam’s triumph in the men’s singles little more than an hour earlier securing a record-equalling eighth gold, victory on the water made it nine and 10 for the delegation in Japan. Not even a lack of wind at Kaiyoh Yacht Harbor could spoil... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/3369649/asian-games-windsurfers-golden-double-takes-hong-kong-record-medal-haul https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/3369649/asian-games-windsurfers-golden-double-takes-hong-kong-record-medal-haul Sat, 03 Oct 2026 06:08:02 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Siobhan Haughey called “pressure a privilege” on her way to adding yet more Asian Games gold to an already glittering resume – anyone watching Coleman Wong Chak-lam win his historic men’s singles title on Saturday might have been left wondering if he even knows what pressure is. The Hongkonger needed just one chance to wrap up a straight sets victory over China’s Wu Yibing, and for all the world looked as though he was just firing down aces on the practice court, and not on the verge of doing... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3369641/asian-games-hong-kongs-wong-claims-historic-tennis-gold-earns-la-olympics-spot https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3369641/asian-games-hong-kongs-wong-claims-historic-tennis-gold-earns-la-olympics-spot Sat, 03 Oct 2026 03:17:51 +0000 Agence France-Presse,Reuters Agence France-Presse,Reuters Philippines tennis star Alexandra Eala saw her bid for Asian Games gold, and ⁠qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles ⁠Olympics, end in Thursday’s semi-finals after a stunning 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 loss to China’s world No 85 Wang Xiyu. Top seed and world No 18 Eala was looking to become the first woman from the Philippines to win the title. The 21-year-old will instead go home with only a bronze medal, which she had also won at the last Games in Hangzhou, where she also won bronze in the mixed... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3369453/top-seed-alexandra-eala-philippines-knocked-out-asian-games-semi-finals https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3369453/top-seed-alexandra-eala-philippines-knocked-out-asian-games-semi-finals Thu, 01 Oct 2026 09:29:34 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Alexandra Eala faces her toughest test of the Asian Games so far on Thursday when she takes on China’s Wang Xinyu in the semi-finals of the women’s singles. Victory will take the 21-year-old a step closer to gold, but after battling past Chinese Taipei’s Joanna Garland in the last eight, she said it had not been an easy decision to come to Japan in the first place. While Eala and the rest are in Nagoya, the China Open is taking place in Beijing, and as a WTA 1000 event, it is mandatory for tour... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3369398/asian-games-eala-takes-wang-gold-her-sights-olympics-her-dreams https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3369398/asian-games-eala-takes-wang-gold-her-sights-olympics-her-dreams Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:36:13 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Zheng Qinwen begins her China Open campaign on Friday confident she can recapture the form that made her among the best women’s players in the world, despite the pressures that come from trying to win at home. The former world No 4 and Olympic gold medallist said she was fully prepared for what lay ahead, even though she dropped outside the top 100 at one stage this season. But an impressive run to the quarter-finals of the US Open has helped her bounce back to near the top 50, and good... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3369353/zheng-qinwen-confident-mood-ahead-china-open-admits-pressure-playing-home https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3369353/zheng-qinwen-confident-mood-ahead-china-open-admits-pressure-playing-home Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:31:55 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Tennis legend Billie Jean King and two former professionals acknowledged modern players are suffering from burnout, but believed any change would be affected by the differing needs of elite players and rest, and the commercial pressure of tournaments. At present, WTA rules say players ranked in the top 30 must compete in all grand slams and ten WTA 1000 tournaments, and skipping these events results in ranking penalties and heavy financial fines that directly damage world standings and core... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3368891/billie-jean-king-says-reforming-tennis-challenge-schedule-sparks-burnout-concerns https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3368891/billie-jean-king-says-reforming-tennis-challenge-schedule-sparks-burnout-concerns Sat, 26 Sep 2026 09:30:11 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Zheng Qinwen’s sponsors have proved even more excited than her long-awaiting fans, kicking off a new round of commercial campaigns to capitalise on her 69-spot surge to world No 52 after her comeback run at the US Open. Following her amazing comeback victories at the year’s final grand slam event in New York, where she lost only to eventual champion Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals, her sponsors posted celebratory campaigns, competing to highlight their early faith in her resilience. Among... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3367927/chinese-star-zheng-qinwen-gets-massive-show-sponsor-support-she-surges-rankings https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3367927/chinese-star-zheng-qinwen-gets-massive-show-sponsor-support-she-surges-rankings Fri, 18 Sep 2026 07:00:06 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara The city’s tennis chief is “quietly confident” that Filipino superstar Alexandra Eala, and fellow main attractions Paula Badosa and Diana Shanider, will show up for the 2026 Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open in November. In the past two years, Michael Cheng Ming-git has seen Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu both withdraw with injuries on the eve of the WTA 250 tournament. But the president of the Hong Kong, China Tennis Association said the “issue about no-shows has got nothing to do with the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3367920/city-tennis-chief-quietly-confident-alexandra-eala-will-play-hong-kong-open https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3367920/city-tennis-chief-quietly-confident-alexandra-eala-will-play-hong-kong-open Fri, 18 Sep 2026 04:00:08 +0000 Reuters Reuters The Philippines Tennis Association (Philta) has filed a ⁠request with the ⁠WTA on behalf of ⁠Alexandra Eala, requesting an exemption from the mandatory China Open so that the world No 18 can represent her country at the Asian Games. Eala, who has become a fan favourite ‌with wins over some of the biggest names on the circuit including Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, is the highest-ranked player in the women’s singles draw at the Asian Games, which begin on Saturday and conclude on October... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3367733/philippines-seeks-wta-exemption-alexandra-eala-skips-china-open-asian-games https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3367733/philippines-seeks-wta-exemption-alexandra-eala-skips-china-open-asian-games Wed, 16 Sep 2026 13:00:08 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Hong Kong’s decades-old tennis facilities at Victoria Park will be redeveloped, the city’s leader said on Wednesday, a move that could open the way to holding bigger tournaments in the future. Speaking during his annual Policy Address, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the plan was “to strengthen the promotion of ‘sports and mega-events’.” At the moment, Hong Kong holds the rights to stage a WTA and an ATP tournament, both at the 250 level. The first of those is the Prudential Hong Kong Open... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/3367724/hong-kong-tennis-bosses-hail-victoria-park-revamp-plans-eye-wta-atp-500-tournaments https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/3367724/hong-kong-tennis-bosses-hail-victoria-park-revamp-plans-eye-wta-atp-500-tournaments Wed, 16 Sep 2026 11:00:08 +0000 Reuters,Agence France-Presse Reuters,Agence France-Presse The stars aligned in Elena ⁠Rybakina’s favour for a US ⁠Open triumph the Kazakh never expected ⁠on Saturday, as she leaves New York the champion and new world No 1 despite an injury that almost derailed her campaign. Rybakina beat the twice defending champion Aryna Sabalenka for the trophy little more than three weeks after an ankle injury that forced her out of the ‌Cincinnati tune-up tournament, raising serious questions over whether she would even compete in New York. “I was so upset. I... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3367345/injury-fears-triumph-everything-aligned-us-open-elena-rybakina-says https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3367345/injury-fears-triumph-everything-aligned-us-open-elena-rybakina-says Sun, 13 Sep 2026 09:00:10 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan The newest tennis star in China said she wanted to be like Zheng Qinwen and hoped she could play against the Olympic champion on the professional tour one day, after reaching the US Open girls’ singles final. Sun Xinran beat Chukwumelije Clarke of the United States 7-5, 0-6, 6-1 to reach the final, where she will face fifth seed Russian teenage girl Anna Pushkareva. New York is the third grand slam final for Sun this year, after reaching the last two at the French Open and Wimbledon, but she has... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3367299/chinas-newest-tennis-star-sun-facing-familiar-foe-third-junior-grand-slam-final https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3367299/chinas-newest-tennis-star-sun-facing-familiar-foe-third-junior-grand-slam-final Sat, 12 Sep 2026 11:00:09 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Zheng Qinwen’s storming run through qualifying to the US Open quarter-finals has the 2024 Olympic gold medallist finally feeling like a force on the court again. The Chinese star fell in three sets to Elena Rybakina on Wednesday, but her time in New York was a leap in the right direction for the former world No 4. After her lengthy recovery from elbow surgery last year was followed by a string indifferent results, Zheng’s ranking dropped so low that she had to come through three qualifying... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3366984/resurgent-zheng-takes-positives-storming-us-open-run https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3366984/resurgent-zheng-takes-positives-storming-us-open-run Thu, 10 Sep 2026 02:17:13 +0000 Agencies Agencies At the end, when five riveting sets and one agonisingly tight tiebreak were over – and when the latest-finishing match in US Open history had concluded – Ben Shelton was not the only player smiling. Carlos Alcaraz, the player Shelton had just defeated in an entertaining, spine-tingling marathon, was smiling too. The dethroned defending champ grinned as he walked to the net to hug Shelton. And he did so again a few minutes later when he stood in a hallway surrounded by reporters, reflecting on a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3366904/ben-shelton-stuns-carlos-alcaraz-late-late-show-reach-us-open-semi-finals https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3366904/ben-shelton-stuns-carlos-alcaraz-late-late-show-reach-us-open-semi-finals Wed, 09 Sep 2026 08:24:27 +0000 Josh Ball,Stephy Zhang Josh Ball,Stephy Zhang Zheng Qinwen has described her slow return to form as a painful rebirth that left her questioning herself and led to “uncomfortable conversations” with her parents and coaches. After months of struggling on the tour, the Chinese star has returned to form at the US Open, and produced a second thrilling win in a matter of days on Monday in New York, battling back from 5-0 down to beat Iga Swiatek in straight sets to reach the quarter-finals. The former world No 4 has been in such poor form for the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3366715/nothing-lucky-about-beating-swiatek-zheng-says-after-reaching-us-open-last-8 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3366715/nothing-lucky-about-beating-swiatek-zheng-says-after-reaching-us-open-last-8 Tue, 08 Sep 2026 04:02:45 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Philippines sensation Alexandra Eala said she cannot wait to experience the “really fun environment” of the Asian Games after a battling defeat in the third round of the US Open. The rising 21-year-old will be favourite to win women’s singles gold when the Games begin in Japan on September 19. At the previous edition of the Games, in 2023 in China, Eala went home with bronze medals in singles and mixed doubles. Much has changed for Eala since, last month becoming the first player from the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3366612/philippine-tennis-sensation-alexandra-eala-looking-forward-having-fun-asian-games https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3366612/philippine-tennis-sensation-alexandra-eala-looking-forward-having-fun-asian-games Mon, 07 Sep 2026 12:30:13 +0000 Reuters,Agence France-Presse Reuters,Agence France-Presse Iva Jovic ⁠and Alexandra Eala put their friendship aside for three hours at the US Open on Saturday before the 18-year-old American prevailed to reach the fourth round. The home hope’s 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 triumph at Arthur Ashe Stadium was a rare bright spot for the New York crowd, who had earlier watched China’s Zheng Qinwen overcome Madison Keys in stunning fashion. On the brink of losing the third set 6-0, Zheng rallied to complete a remarkable 1-6, 7-6, 7-5 victory. Jovic and Eala already shared... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3366518/alexandra-eala-crashes-out-us-open-after-zheng-qinwen-downs-keys-epic-upset https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3366518/alexandra-eala-crashes-out-us-open-after-zheng-qinwen-downs-keys-epic-upset Sun, 06 Sep 2026 04:06:34 +0000 Reuters,Agence France-Presse Reuters,Agence France-Presse Alexandra Eala of the Philippines brushed ⁠aside Ukrainian Oleksandra Oliynykova ⁠6-1, 6-4 on Friday to reach the third ⁠round of the US Open, keeping alive the buzz for her fervent following in New York. The 21-year-old left hander lost to Oliynykova in Strasbourg earlier this year but had the right formula this time around; Eala needing little more than ‌an hour to book a third-round meeting with No 14 seed Iva Jovic of the USA. “My patience and the consistency of my focus [were] the key to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3366299/us-open-alexandra-eala-marches-chinas-zheng-qinwen-regains-competitive-fire https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3366299/us-open-alexandra-eala-marches-chinas-zheng-qinwen-regains-competitive-fire Fri, 04 Sep 2026 03:24:06 +0000 SCMP Sport,Associated Press SCMP Sport,Associated Press Alexandra Eala cruised to a straight sets win in the first round of the US Open, then thanked her legions of fans who turned the tournament into a home away from home for the Philippine star. Eala dispatched American Mary Stoiana 6-1, 6-2 in Louis Armstrong Stadium, cheered on by supporters who had packed out the practice court just to watch her train in the hours before her opening match. In a brief on-court interview, the charismatic 21-year-old said the fans made it “such a pleasure to do my... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3366051/beaming-alexandra-eala-thanks-raucous-fans-after-cruising-us-open-first-round-win https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3366051/beaming-alexandra-eala-thanks-raucous-fans-after-cruising-us-open-first-round-win Wed, 02 Sep 2026 03:49:27 +0000 Reuters,Agence France-Presse Reuters,Agence France-Presse Naomi Osaka unveiled ⁠another bold grand slam ⁠walk-on outfit at the US Open ⁠on Monday before the two-time champion battled to a 7-6, 7-6 victory over unseeded Russian Anastasia Zakharova to reach the second round. Osaka has been the fashion highlight of this year’s majors and entered Arthur Ashe Stadium in a hooded tunic ‌featuring patchwork-style panels adorned with press clippings from past tournament appearances and a billowing white tulle train. At Wimbledon, she paid tribute to her... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3365981/naomi-osaka-brings-steel-style-nba-icon-iverson-reach-us-open-second-round https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3365981/naomi-osaka-brings-steel-style-nba-icon-iverson-reach-us-open-second-round Tue, 01 Sep 2026 13:00:08 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang China tennis star Zheng Qinwen has given 1 million yuan (US$150,000) to help the disaster relief efforts in Nepal and Tibet, a charity group has revealed. In a post on its official social media account, the China Charity Federation said Zheng had made the donation in response to the flash flood that has claimed the lives of at least 950 people, while more than 4,000 are still missing. The Olympic gold medallist, who is through to the second round of the US Open after beating Kristina Liutova on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3365913/china-tennis-star-zheng-qinwen-donates-1-million-yuan-victims-nepal-disaster https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3365913/china-tennis-star-zheng-qinwen-donates-1-million-yuan-victims-nepal-disaster Tue, 01 Sep 2026 02:30:07 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Novak Djokovic suffered his earliest grand slam exit in 20 years in New York on Sunday and said he doesn’t know the solution to the physical problems he’s battled in “pretty much every match” this year. Argentine Mariano Navone’s 7-6, 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory in the first round of the US Open ended Djokovic’s latest bid for a record 25th grand slam title. It also ended his run of 78 first-round victories in major tournaments, a streak stretching all the way back to a 2006 loss to Paul... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3365811/physical-woes-dog-novak-djokovic-shock-us-open-first-round-loss-first-20-years https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3365811/physical-woes-dog-novak-djokovic-shock-us-open-first-round-loss-first-20-years Mon, 31 Aug 2026 06:20:07 +0000 Reuters Reuters American players Jessica ⁠Pegula and Frances Tiafoe said tennis was moving in the right direction on diversity as Tiafoe highlighted increased representation at the top of the game and the financial barriers facing young players. Pegula said the sport’s global reach was one of its strengths, pointing to players from ‌around the world and the varied fan bases they attract. “I think the best part of tennis is there is so much diversity,” Pegula told reporters ahead of the US Open. “Everybody from... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3365699/rise-asian-players-eala-zheng-points-progress-tennis-diversity-us-open-pegula https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3365699/rise-asian-players-eala-zheng-points-progress-tennis-diversity-us-open-pegula Sat, 29 Aug 2026 14:00:11 +0000 Reuters Reuters Philippine tennis trailblazer Alexandra Eala has emerged ⁠as one of the ⁠sport’s fastest-rising players after a ⁠breakthrough season, and her growing fan base and improving game could make her one of the main attractions at the United States Open. Former world No 4 Mary Joe Fernandez said the scale and intensity of ‌support for Eala had become increasingly apparent over the past year, recalling packed practice sessions at the Miami Open and vocal crowds at recent tournaments. “Her following, the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3365648/philippine-tennis-trailblazer-alexandra-eala-poised-bring-fervent-following-us-open https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3365648/philippine-tennis-trailblazer-alexandra-eala-poised-bring-fervent-following-us-open Fri, 28 Aug 2026 15:00:08 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz will open the US Open mixed doubles tournament against a duo that features the reigning women’s doubles champion. Williams and Alcaraz will face Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool on Tuesday in the first round of the championship, which will be Williams’ first match at the US Open since 2022. Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic might have an even tougher draw. The top seeds, based on having the lowest combined singles ranking in the 16-team field, face Katerina... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3365178/serena-williams-carlos-alcaraz-face-tricky-us-open-mixed-doubles-first-round-match https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3365178/serena-williams-carlos-alcaraz-face-tricky-us-open-mixed-doubles-first-round-match Tue, 25 Aug 2026 07:29:07 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen will start from the US Open qualifying rounds for the first time in her career as qualifiers for the final grand slam of the year begin on Monday, New York time. Ranked No 127 in the world, Zheng remained some way off the main draw list, which cut off at No 118 Julia Grabher of Austria, per the women’s singles entry list as of last Wednesday. With an 11-13 record this year including six first-round defeats including at the French Open and Wimbledon, Zheng is... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3364980/chinese-tennis-star-zheng-qinwen-start-us-open-qualifiers-first-time https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3364980/chinese-tennis-star-zheng-qinwen-start-us-open-qualifiers-first-time Sun, 23 Aug 2026 12:00:10 +0000 Agencies Agencies Former Wimbledon finalist Nick ⁠Kyrgios was provisionally suspended from tennis on Wednesday after testing positive for cocaine, with the volatile Australian owning up to his “huge mistake” in a public apology. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced the suspension of the 31-year-old following a positive test for benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite, from a sample taken during an ATP 250 event in Mallorca in June. Kyrgios, who reached a career-high rank of 13, has been... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3364578/australian-tennis-player-nick-kyrgios-admits-huge-mistake-after-failing-test-cocaine https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3364578/australian-tennis-player-nick-kyrgios-admits-huge-mistake-after-failing-test-cocaine Wed, 19 Aug 2026 10:48:16 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan He has been stung by the likes of Emma Raducanu and Naomi Osaka bailing out of his tournaments at the eleventh hour, but the head of Hong Kong tennis has thrown his weight behind the sport’s controversial jam-packed calendar. Equally, Michael Cheng Ming-git, president of the Hong Kong, China Tennis Association (HKCTA), said the city was getting bang for its buck from hosting ATP and WTA 250 events every year. After a spate of high-profile withdrawals from last week’s Canadian Open, the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/3364428/hong-kong-tennis-chief-says-city-getting-bang-buck-hosting-wta-atp-events https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/3364428/hong-kong-tennis-chief-says-city-getting-bang-buck-hosting-wta-atp-events Wed, 19 Aug 2026 00:00:18 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse On a Manila court made of crushed seashells, an earnest four-year-old sends a forehand sailing wide – one of dozens of children aiming to follow in the footsteps of the Philippines’ first home-grown tennis sensation, Alexandra Eala. The 21-year-old’s rise has sparked a rush of interest in a sport typically seen as the preserve of the elite in a country best known for its love of basketball, boxing and cockfighting. Racquet sales are up and scoring one of the few available playing venues has... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3363982/i-want-be-eala-philippine-star-sparks-tennis-boom-home-court-time-premium https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3363982/i-want-be-eala-philippine-star-sparks-tennis-boom-home-court-time-premium Fri, 14 Aug 2026 04:00:23 +0000 Reuters Reuters A string of withdrawals ⁠from the Canadian Open underscored concerns ⁠that professional tennis’s lengthy calendar and expanded top-level ⁠events are increasing injury risks, the Professional Tennis Players Association has said. The players’ advocacy group said it was saddened but not surprised by the absences from the tournament, arguing that reduced recovery time between tournaments was contributing to injuries occurring earlier in the season and becoming more serious. In Montreal, the men’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3363616/tennis-players-group-says-arm-injuries-over-100-calls-shorter-season https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3363616/tennis-players-group-says-arm-injuries-over-100-calls-shorter-season Tue, 11 Aug 2026 07:00:07 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Alexandra Eala was already on her way to becoming the Philippines’ next global star, and that was before she beat a grand slam winner, an Olympic gold medallist and the defending champion while winning her maiden WTA singles title. Following her fairy tale run at Wimbledon, the 21-year-old’s victory over world No 3 Jessica Pagula in the Washington Open on Tuesday has sparked another surge of interest in the sport in her home country. Her performance drew praise from Philippine President... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3363011/first-filipino-wta-winner-alexandra-eala-backed-sporting-pedigree-unstoppable-spirit https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3363011/first-filipino-wta-winner-alexandra-eala-backed-sporting-pedigree-unstoppable-spirit Wed, 05 Aug 2026 05:30:08 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Alexandra Eala capped her giant-killing run at the Washington Open with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 victory over top-seeded Jessica Pegula on Monday to become the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA title. Eala, now ranked world No 20, overpowered Pegula over the final two sets as play resumed in the final, suspended after lengthy weather delays on Sunday. The 21-year-old left-hander produced a rock-solid service display and an impressive array of winners to deny world No 3 Pegula a 12th career... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3362857/really-really-proud-eala-makes-history-first-filipino-win-wta-singles-title https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3362857/really-really-proud-eala-makes-history-first-filipino-win-wta-singles-title Tue, 04 Aug 2026 02:15:34 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Coleman Wong’s history-making run in an ATP event came to an end in Mexico on Friday when he lost in the semi-final of the Mifel Open to France’s Arthur Gea. Wong, who was playing in his first ATP semi-final, lost 7-6, 6-3 in Los Cabos. Gea needed six chances to close out the first set, winning the tiebreak 9-7. The Frenchman had led 5-4 in the set when Wong saved two ⁠set points, and squandered another four set points ⁠in the tiebreaker before finally prevailing. He said later that things were... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3362635/hongkonger-coleman-wongs-dream-run-atp-event-comes-end-semi-final-loss https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3362635/hongkonger-coleman-wongs-dream-run-atp-event-comes-end-semi-final-loss Sat, 01 Aug 2026 08:14:16 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Coleman Wong has reached the semi-finals of an ATP Tour event for the first time, after beating Jenson Brooksby in straight sets at the Mifel Open on Thursday. The Hongkonger backed up his surprise quarter-finals victory over top seed Jiri Lehecka a day earlier, with a 6-1, 7-5 win over the world No 77 in Los Cabos, Mexico. Wong’s victory also made another slice of tennis history, becoming the first player from the city to break into the top 100 in the world. The 22-year-old played aggressively... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3362487/wong-makes-hong-kong-history-citys-first-player-enter-top-100-make-atp-semi-final https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3362487/wong-makes-hong-kong-history-citys-first-player-enter-top-100-make-atp-semi-final Fri, 31 Jul 2026 05:11:56 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Coleman Wong Chak-lam pulled off a major upset on Thursday, coming from behind to eliminate the top seed and reach the quarter-finals of the ATP 250 Mifel Open in Los Cabos, Mexico. Hong Kong’s top-ranked player, currently ranked world No 108, rallied from a set down to beat Czech world No 12 Jiri Lehecka 2-1 in the last 16. After holding serve in his opening game, Wong struggled against a dominant Lehecka, dropping the first set 6-1 after being broken twice. In the second set, both players held... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3362424/hong-kong-star-coleman-wong-verge-top-100-after-beating-top-seed-atp-250-event https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3362424/hong-kong-star-coleman-wong-verge-top-100-after-beating-top-seed-atp-250-event Thu, 30 Jul 2026 12:32:47 +0000 Andrew Scott Andrew Scott Alexandra Eala rallied to beat China’s Zheng Qinwen in the first round at the Washington Open on Wednesday. Making her debut in Washington, the world No 28 fought back to beat wild card Zheng 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in two hours and 26 minutes. Eala will face defending champion and No 7 seed Leylah Fernandez of Canada for a place in the last eight. The young rising star made global headlines earlier this month after beating Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon to become the first Philippines player to reach the last... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3362233/filipino-tennis-star-alexandra-eala-stuns-zheng-qinwen-thrilling-washington-open-debut https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3362233/filipino-tennis-star-alexandra-eala-stuns-zheng-qinwen-thrilling-washington-open-debut Wed, 29 Jul 2026 06:44:41 +0000