A Obing said he should have withdrawn; Hangzhou fans criticized; all local wildcards at China Open eliminated; Aka battles in Tokyo.

Three minutes daily to keep up with global tennis news. Greetings to all tennis enthusiasts, today is Tuesday, September 23, 2025. Welcome to the Tennis Home news midday broadcast.

From yesterday afternoon to evening Beijing time, the ATP250 Hangzhou and Chengdu Opens finished their singles semifinals, with finalists determined. At Hangzhou, Chinese player Wu Yibing fought hard amid the home crowd’s cheers but lost 3-6, 3-6 to the third seed, Kazakhstan’s Bublyk, missing the final.

The winner Bublyk will face French qualifier Royer for the title; Royer defeated compatriot and fourth seed Moutet 6-3, 6-2, reaching his first career tour final.

In the match between Obing and Bublyk, Obing clearly lacked stamina and played injured. In the post-match press conference, he admitted he probably shouldn’t have played but insisted on competing to avoid disappointing fans and being labeled as injured.

Some fans’ behavior at the Hangzhou venue was criticized online because they repeatedly shouted “double fault, double fault, double fault…” whenever the Kazakh player served. Some viewers understand the hope for Obing’s victory but feel mocking the opponent’s serve is petty.

At Chengdu, top seed and Italian star Musetti advanced strongly, beating Kazakhstan’s Shevchenko 6-3, 6-1, making the final for the second consecutive year; in the other match, Chilean qualifier Tabillo defeated fourth seed American Brandon Nakashima 6-4, 7-6(0), reaching his fifth career tour final.

Turning to the China Open, last night Beijing time, the WTA1000 China Open released the women’s singles main draw. The top eight seeds’ matchups: top half includes Swiatek vs Pegula, Zheng Qinwen vs Mira Andreeva; bottom half has Anisimova vs Barty, Rybakina vs Gauff.

China’s top player Zheng Qinwen is seeded seventh with a first-round bye; potential opponents on her path include Ramenes, Noskova, Tauson, Mboko, overall a favorable draw. Second-ranked Wang Xinyu also has a first-round bye. Other Chinese players’ first-round matches are: Yuan Yue vs Putintseva, Zhu Lin vs qualifier, Wei Sijia vs Semenz, Guo Hanyu vs Wang Xiyu, Zhang Ruien vs Lis, Shi Han vs Kessler.

In the China Open women’s singles qualifiers first round, six Chinese wildcards Li Zongyu, Shao Yushan, Ren Yufei, Jiang Xinyu, Yao Xinxin, Zhu Chenting all lost, with none advancing; only Yao won a set, others lost in straight sets. Some fans lament that despite giving wildcards to local players, they failed to capitalize on the opportunity.

Also, the ATP500 Tokyo event released the men’s singles main draw. World No.1 Alcaraz, American Fritz, and the “Nordic duo” Ruud and Rune are the top four seeds. The top eight seeds’ matchups: top half Alcaraz vs Tiafoe, Ruud vs Shapovalov; bottom half Humbert vs Rune, Mahach vs Fritz.

Additionally, Chinese player Wu Yibing, who exited in the Hangzhou semifinals, announced withdrawal from the China Open singles qualifiers, with Sun Fajing replacing him. Croatian veteran Cilic also entered the main draw as a replacement.

Looking at recent updates, early this morning Beijing time, WTA announced that the Russian-Belgian duo Kudermetova/Mertens officially qualified for the WTA Finals, becoming the fourth doubles team to secure a spot this year.

Finally, a guessing game. The following image shows the back of a player. Without any hints, can you identify who it is?

Last time’s guess was answered correctly by some fans. Yes, the picture showed the feet of Japanese star Naomi Osaka.

(Source: Tennis Home Author: Lone Wolf)