By Erik Gudris | Monday, October 6, 2014
As the ATP heads over to Shanghai and the WTA leaves Beijing, here's a look at who's made the grade, or not, so far in Asia.
Photo Credit: AP
The Asian Swing is proving for some players a boost but for others a burden as we enter October. Here's some midterm grades for the men arriving in Shanghai and final grades for the women.
A: Novak Djokovic
The "Djokovic Dynasty" continues in Beijing. Once again Djokovic proved invincible after earning his fifth China Open title and keeping his record perfect, now at 25-0. He punctuated his dominance in a flawless final against Tomas Berdych who managed just to scratch out two games against the Serb.
After looking and playing with uncertainty post-Wimbledon, Djokovic is off to a flying start to the late season as he enters Shanghai as defending champion. But if Djokovic could find a way to bottle his form in Beijing and take it with him all year long, you know he would.
A: Maria Sharapova
Sharapova got a nice double bonus from her time in Beijing. Not only did she win her fourth title this season, but also got a healthy rankings boost up to No. 2 in the world. That's perfect for the Russian who now will enter the WTA Finals in Singapore far away from nemesis Serena Williams in the early round robin.
A: Petra Kvitova
The Czech may have lost in the Beijing final to Sharapova, but that doesn't take away from her great run in China. Kvitova won the Wuhan Open and is showing the kind of form that just might give her the Singapore title a few weeks from now.
A: Kei Nishikori
Japan's biggest star used his post-US Open finals run to propel him to success at home. Winning two back-to-back titles for the first time in his career (Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo), Nishikori looks primed to make his ATP Finals debut in London.
A: Andy Murray
Winning brings a smile to anyone's face. Even Andy Murray who flashed a big grin of relief and happiness after claiming the Shenzhen title - his first since winning Wimbledon last year. If Murray can carry that momentum to possibly qualify for the ATP finals in London is still TBD. But seeing Murray's smile after his rough several months, on and off the court, was great to see.
B: Rafael Nadal
Even Nadal probably wasn't sure what to expect during his return to action after a three-month layoff from injury. But the reigning French Open champion picked up right were he left off this spring with some sizzling shotmaking.
Despite his complaints about the balls used at the China Open and being upset by a relentless Martin Klizan in the quarterfinals, Nadal's comeback looks to be on course for a solid finish by end of year.
C: Marin Cilic
Let's be honest, Cilic is probably still celebrating his US Open title, so a big result soon after New York probably wasn't going to happen. Cilic did reach the Beijing quarterfinals where he lost to Murray, but it might not be until the Croat returns to Europe for the indoor season that he challenges for another title.
D: Stan Wawrinka
Wawrinka's opening round loss in Tokyo to World No. 93 Tatsuma Ito raised a lot of eyebrows. But Stan has a chance to rebound in Shanghai this week.
F: Agnieszka Radwanska
Since winning Montreal this summer, it's been a lackluster few months for the Polish star. "Aga" couldn't defend her Seoul title, then suffered several tough early round loses in China. The good news is she did qualify for the WTA Finals again. But with her shaky form of late, a quick exit for Radwanska from Singapore looks likely.
F: David Ferrer
Ferrer's post US Open struggles continued in Asia. Two opening round losses had Ferrer searching for answers as he admitted in Tokyo things haven't been great for him. Perhaps it's time for a new coach? Again.
Incomplete: Serena Williams
It's hard to grade the World No. 1 after she endured yet another low in her up and down season. Despite winning her 18th Grand Slam singles title in New York, Williams couldn't keep that momentum going in China. First, she retired with a viral illness from her opening round in Wuhan, and then was forced to withdraw with a knee injury from her Beijing quarterfinal.
Will Serena play Singapore? That's what everyone is asking as she heads over to Europe for evaluation. It's expected the WTA Finals defending champion will appear in Singapore, especially since she'll want to secure the year-end No. 1 ranking, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see her withdraw early yet again. Stay tuned.