Title winners
It was a dream week for home hero Qinwen Zheng in Beijing, as she became the first Chinese woman to win the China Open, defeating Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-4 in the final.
Zheng used the energy of the adoring crowd to put together a scintillating set of performances, surging to her maiden WTA 1000 title, whilst also becoming just the fourth wildcard to win a tournament at that level.
The 24-year-old defeated the likes of Elina Svitolina and Elise Mertens en route to the final, and has now firmly established herself as a force once more on the WTA Tour.
A former world number four, Australian Open finalist and current Olympic champion, Zheng has tumbled down the rankings and struggled to put together results over the last 18 months following a serious elbow injury.
However, after a run to the US Open quarter-finals last month, which saw her beat Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys, she has started to show signs of her best, culminating in a marvellous week in Beijing.
A fantastic player and character, it is great to see her back in the winner's circle for the first time in two years. She has surged up to 23rd in the world rankings.
While Andreeva suffered disappointment in the final, it wasn't all bad news for her. The 19-year-old managed to climb to a career-high third in the world, while also securing qualification for the WTA Finals.
On the men's side of the tournament, which finished several days earlier than the women's, Novak Djokovic delivered a superhuman run to capture his 102nd title, proving that while his body may be faltering, his skill set remains sky-high at 39 years old.
The Serbian legend saw off soon-to-be world number one Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, and an injured Alex De Minaur in the final to lift his first title of a difficult year. As a result, he became the first man to win a title in 21 consecutive seasons.
It was a truly extraordinary week from Djokovic. After having physical issues in the first round of the US Open and exiting the tournament in tears, it was unclear what his long-term future would look like, let alone the immediate short-term.
At a tournament he had won six times and never lost a match at, he was totally inspired, striking the ball with typically clean precision and power. He extended his record in Beijing to 34-0, the longest unbeaten run by any player, surpassing Rafael Nadal's 31 straight wins at Roland Garros between 2005 and 2009.
His semi-final clash with Medvedev was marred by controversy when the Russian was disqualified while trailing 5-7, 3-5, after hitting the ball away petulantly and striking a spectator in the face. While Djokovic was likely to win regardless, it was a sour note to end a brilliant match on, resulting in Medvedev losing all the prize money and ranking points he earned that tournament.
Over in Tokyo, Carlos Alcaraz defended his crown and captured his first trophy since returning from a wrist injury, claiming a 7-6(4), 6-4 victory over Jiri Lehecka in the final.
The Spaniard didn't look at his vintage best in the Japanese capital, as he continues his recovery back to full fitness, but he remains far too good for most, sweeping past Alex Michelsen, Matteo Arnaldi, Denis Shapovalov and Jaume Munar.
It was Alcaraz's third title of the year, including the Australian Open, and the 27th of his career.
He said he is planning on playing a full-on schedule from now until the end of the season, including Shanghai, Paris, the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup Finals.
Biggest strugglers
In her first match as the new world number one, Elena Rybakina suffered a shock 6-3, 4-6, 3-6 defeat to world number 118 Alina Charaeva in the Beijing second round. However, she seemed to be suffering physically, which was confirmed when she pulled out of the Wuhan Open with an injury.
The woman she replaced at the summit of the rankings, Aryna Sabalenka, was also stunned in the third round, losing 4-6, 3-6 to eventual semi-finalist Nikola Bartunkova.
By her lofty standards, it has been a tough season for Sabalenka, failing to win a single Grand Slam and not winning a title since the Miami Open in March. She certainly seems like a player who wants 2026 to be over.
Second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime lost 3-6, 3-6 in the first round of Beijing to Karen Khachanov, just a few weeks after a loss to the same opponent at the US Open.
A period of the season where the Canadian usually plays exceptionally well, Auger-Aliassime hasn't been near his best, and is now working alongside a new coach, Ivan Ljubicic, as he looks to find another level.
Standout moment
World number one Jannik Sinner confirmed that he would be bringing an end to his season to focus on recovering from a knee injury, meaning we haven't seen the Italian since he won Wimbledon, and he will no longer be able to defend his ATP Finals title on home soil in Turin.
It is another major injury to one of the world's best players in 2026, highlighting the unsustainable and ridiculous nature of the tennis calendar. It is no longer just a coincidence, but clearly a pattern and regular occurrence, and it means the ATP Tour is suffering as a result.
Sinner's decision means that Zverev will become the world number one in the coming weeks, and will end the year as the world's best player too.
It is a great achievement to cap off a remarkable year for the German, who captured his first two Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros and the US Open.
Imagine saying at the start of the season that Zverev would win more majors than Sinner and Alcaraz and would become world number one...
Best rallies
Djokovic and Zverev produced this incredible rally in Beijing, which saw the masterful Serb showcase his exquisite reading of the game. The 39-year-old also saved a break point in the final with an extraordinary, trademark backhand passing shot.
Upcoming events
The Shanghai Masters is into its second week after getting underway last Wednesday, as top seeds Zverev and Alcaraz remain in the draw at the penultimate ATP 1000 event of the season.
Valentin Vacherot was the shock winner in 2025, beating his cousin, Arthur Rinderknech, in what was a remarkable story. He came through qualifying to lift the trophy and was the lowest-ranked player to ever win an ATP 1000 event (204th).
Some names who have already been eliminated: Ben Shelton, Flavio Cobolli, Frances Tiafoe , Taylor Fritz and Djokovic, but the former did enough to secure his spot at the ATP Finals.
Arthur Fils, Medvedev, De Minaur, and Rafa Jodar will all be eyeing successful weeks as they seek to qualify for the ATP Finals in November.
Over on the WTA Tour, the final 1000 tournament of 2026 takes place at the Wuhan Open. Defending champion Coco Gauff, world number one Rybakina, new world number three Andreeva, and Wimbledon winner Linda Noskova are not taking part due to fatigue and injury issues.
As a result, three-time champion Sabalenka leads the field, alongside Jessica Pegula.
Svitolina, Karolina Muchova, Marta Kostyuk and Swiatek will all be eyeing a strong run in Wuhan to try qualify for the WTA Finals next month.
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