Defending Champion Roger Federer Arrives In Shanghai! [Video]

While rivals Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal slug it out in Beijing, Roger Federer landed in Shanghai Friday in preparation for the biggest tennis event in the region.

Fans eagerly await the King @rogerfederer gracing Shanghai at the airport right now. (Photos by Wendy Q.) pic.twitter.com/OdPPBwowDT

— Scarlett Li (@Scarlett_Li) October 9, 2015

The draw for the event is already out, and Federer, who won the title last year beating Gilles Simon, opens in the second round against Sam Querrey or a qualifier. Federer could face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the third round, Kei Nishikori in the quarterfinals and Rafael Nadal or Stan Wawrinka in the semifinals.

“I think it you love the game, and you enjoy it, there’s no end,” said Rod Laver of Federer. “I almost feel like he’s playing better tennis than he did a couple of years ago.”

This is Federer first event since the US Open.