Novak Djokovic returns to China this week to put a stamp on his No. 1 ranking, and the Serb has had a lot of success in the country. Djokovic enters the China Open having won all 19 matches he’s played in Beijing winning the tournament four times!

And overall Djokovic, who has also won the Shanghai Masters 1000 the last two years, is a 20 match win streak in China!

Wins/Event
5 2013 …

Andy Murray saved a personal-best five matchpoints to win his first title in over 14 months earlier today defeating Tommy Robredo 57, 76(9), 61 in the final at Shenzhen. The 32-year-old Robredo led Murray by a set and 6-2 in the second set breaker before the Scot turned it around.

“I got lucky, basically, at the end of the second set,” Murray said. “I fought hard, tried my best and thankfully …

CHINA OPEN
Beijing, China; Surface: hard

Men’s Seeds: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Tomas Berdych, Marin Cilic, Grigor Dimitrov, Andy Murray, Ernests Gulbis, John Isner

Men’s Floaters: Lukas Rosol, Vasek “Popsicle” Pospisil, Fernando “Hot Sauce” Verdasco, Jerzy Janowicz, Feliciano “F-Lo” Lopez, Fabio “The Fabulous One” Fognini, “Dr.” Ivo Karlovic, Richard Gasquet

Men’s Notes: A whole lot o’ shakin’ goin’ on in Beijing where the return of Rafael Nadal and no byes results in a slew …

Andy Murray advanced to his first ATP final since his 2013 Wimbledon title. The 2-time Slam champion needed three sets to turn away Juan Monaco 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 in the semifinals at the new tournament in Shenzhen.

“He started the match well,” said Murray. “I was struggling a little bit with my timing. Obviously, the conditions were very hard today. But I feel good and I’m into my first final for …

Rafael Nadal met the media today in Beijing, site of the China Open which begins on Sunday. Nadal, who hasn’t played a match since a stunning Wimbledon fourth round loss to Nick Kyrgios almost three months ago, says his right wrist still is not 100% but it’s doing better.

“I am fine,” said Nadal. “I am much better. The thing is the injury, the evolution of the injury, was a bit …

Andy Murray and Kei Nishikori improved their positions reaching the semifinals at their respective events in Shenzhen and Kuala Lumpur.

Murray, who’s currently down at 11th, beat Lukas Lacko 6-3, 7-5 to reach the Shenzhen semifinals where he’ll meet Juan Monaco, an upset winner over Richard Gasquet. The second semifinal pits Tommy Robredo against Santiago Giraldo.

Murray, who has never played Monaco, is seeking his first final since his 2013 Wimbledon triumph.

“I …

Rafael Nadal arrived in Kazakhstan yesterday for a scheduled Thursday exhibition match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Astana. The Spanish star hasn’t played since Wimbledon after missing the US summer swing due to a right wrist injury.

Nadal is expected to fly to Beijing for the China Open after the match. He’s also scheduled to play in Shanghai in two weeks.

Post match:…

After a tough loss Wednesday to Timea Bacsinszky, tennis superstar Maria Sharapova was in better spirits today. On a flight out of Wuhan (to Beijing?), Sharapova took this photo of someone in a row ahead of her reading about the 5-time Grand Slam champion.

Hey buddy, I'm right behind you… :) pic.twitter.com/deVaMfetzr

— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) September 25, 2014

Did she really take the picture? Did …

As we enter the final few months of the 2014 tennis season, here’s where the top guys are scheduled to be playing:

Djokovic (4): Sept 29 – Beijing, Oct 5 – Shanghai, Oct 27 – Paris, Nov 9 – London
Federer (5): Oct 5 – Shanghai, Oct 20 – Basel, Oct 27 – Paris, Nov 9 – London, Nov 21 – Davis Cup
Nadal (5): Sept 29 – Beijing, Oct 5 – …

In celebration of his first trip to India, Roger Federer announced a #PhotoshopRF meme on twitter earlier today. Federer asked his fans to photoshop himself into Indian themed pictures.

Maybe you guys could help #PhotoshopRF? Show me where I should visit and I'll retweet the best pics!

— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) September 23, 2014

The results were hilarious!

@rogerfederer Don't forget to take

…

Serena Williams’s injury woes continued Tuesday in Wuhan, China. During her opening round match against Alize Cornet, the World No. 1 had to receive medical attention on court. After her temperature and blood pressure were taken, Serena retired leading 6-5 in the first set.

Tour organizers cited the reason for Serena’s retirement as a “viral illness”. Serena infamously also retired with a similar illness at Wimbledon earlier this year.

The US …

Rafael Nadal’s PR agency confirmed this morning that the Spanish star will play next week in Beijing and then in two weeks in Shanghai.

@RafaelNadal will play Beijing and Shanghai. No high expectations but good news. Back to competition.

— B1PR (@b1pr) September 22, 2014

On his way to Beijing, Nadal will stop in Kazakhstan for an exo match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga this Thursday.

Nadal hasn’t …

According to the International Premier Tennis League, Roger Federer as replaced Rafael Nadal on the Indian team after the Spaniard withdrew citing “health reasons”.

Federer will join his “Indian Aces” teammates Pete Sampras, Gael Monfils, Ana Ivanovic and Rohan Bopanna in New Delhi this December.

“There was an injury issue with Rafa, but I am glad Federer was available. Federer is a superstar and has charisma. That will create buzz,” league founder …

DONGFENG MOTOR WUHAN OPEN
Wuhan, China; Surface: hard

Seeds: Serena Williams, Simona Halep, Petra Kvitova, Maria Sharapova, Agnieszka Radwanska, Eugenie Bouchard, Angelique Kerber, Caroline Wozniacki, Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic, Sara Errani, Dominika Cibulkova, Ekaterina Makarova, Lucie Safarova, Flavia Pennetta, Andrea Petkovic

Floaters: Alize Cornet, Shuai Peng, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Venus Williams, Caroline Garcia, (Q) Donna Vekic, Sam Stosur, Madison Keys, Sabine Lisicki

Notes: It’s the debut of the Premier 5 Series event in China…Victoria Azarenka …

Goffin Not Wafflin’ in Metz, Collects 2nd Career Title

No. 8-seeded David Goffin of Belgium completed his comeback from injury earlier this year by winning his second career title on Sunday in Moselle Open in Metz, France, in the final topping No. 6-seeded Joao Sousa of Portugal 6-4, 6-3.

“This is very special because my family was here today,” Goffin said. “That’s the advantage of playing close to home….I had to play …