Asian Swing continues in China - ATP 1000, WTA 1000

 

Chinese actress Li Li-Hua was an opera-trained megastar at home when she became one of the first Chinese women to star in a Hollywood film. In 1958, she acted alongside Victor Mature in the romantic drama China Doll

We are reminded that China and indeed parts of the Asian diaspora were very much a part of movie productions in Hollywood's heyday.  Shanghai itself was central to quite a few movies.  The 1930s, considered the first "Golden Period" of Chinese cinema, saw the advent of the leftist cinematic movement. The civil war between Nationalists and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was reflected in the films produced. It would take years before  Asian actors belatedly received the accolades of the Hollywood movers and shakers.  

Congrats to our champions this past week:

Japan Open, Japan      - Veronica Kudermetova

Ningbo Open, China   - Ons Jabeur

China Open, Beijing   - Jannik Sinner

Astana Open, Kazakhstan - Adrian Mannarino

China Open WTA 1000
National Tennis Center
Beijing, China
September 30-October 8, 2023

Hu Die is known as "China's Greta Garbo". Films "Song Girl Red Peony" and "Laughing Karma". She starred in "The Flower of Freedom", "Sister Flower", "The Peerless Beauty", "The Peacock Flies Southeast", "Three Women", "A Dream of Spring", "Splendid Paradise", "A Lady", Movies such as "The Wandering Child" and "Street Boy" also won the Best Actress Award at the 7th Asian Film Festival for the role of Mrs. Xu in "Back Door."

Surface: Hard

Draws: Singles 60, Doubles 32

This is the 17th edition of the tournament and it is a mandatory tourney.  The event has not been held since 2019 when Naomi Osaka beat Ash Barty.

Seeds (in order of seeding): Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina, Maria Sakkari, Ons Jabeur, Marketa Vondrousova, Caroline Garcia, Barbora Krejcikova, Daria Kasatkina, Petra Kvitova, Jelena Ostapenko, Victoria Azarenka, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Veronika Kudermetova

The tourney is awarding performance byes to the Tokyo semifinalists – Jessica Pegula, Maria Sakkari, Veronika Kudermetova, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Wildcards: Chinese players Tian Fangran, Wang Xiyu, Yuan Yue, plus Vera Zvonareva

Withdrawals: There were eight, including Belinda Bencic, Danielle Collins, Madison Keys, Karolina Muchova, Elina Svitolina

Singles / Doubles Draws
OOP

Chinese-born American actor Keye Luke burst through multiple barriers in order to create better opportunities for Asian and Asian American performers in Hollywood. In Luke's heyday during the 1920s and 1940s, his career was marked by one first after another. Before Bruce Lee, Luke was the first Kato in the Green Hornet Series. He also took the role of Chinese detective Mr. Wong from British actor Boris Karloff in the 1940 film Phantom of Chinatown; he is also one of the few actors of Asian descent to star in the popular Charlie Chan films, playing the detective's Number One Son, Lee Chan.

China Open ATP 500
Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Center
Beijing, China
 September 28-October 4, 2023

Anna May Wong, movie star who fought to be viewed beyond stereotypes in Hollywood. Anna May Wong (1905–1961) was the first Chinese American actress to become a major box-office attraction. When World War II broke out, she put her film career on hold and worked from the United States on Chinese war relief.

Surface: Hard

Draw: Singles 32, Doubles 16

This is the 22nd edition of the tournament.

The tourney was last held in 2019 and Dominic Thiem was the champion, defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Most titles: Novak Djokovic with 6.

Rafa Nadal was the youngest champion, age 19 in 2005 and also the oldest, 31 in 2017.

Seeds (in order of seeding): Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Holger Rune, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev, Jannik Sinner, Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev

Withdrawals: Roberto Bautista Agut, Matteo Berrettini, Pablo Carreno Busta, Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe

Astana Open ATP 250
National Tennis Center
Astana, Kazakhstan
September 27 - October 3, 2023

Ruan Lingyu - also known by her English name Lily Yuen.  Born in 1910 she was one of the first Chinese silent film actresses.  Very talented actress who sadly took her own life at 25 years old...

Surface: Hard indoor

Draws: Singles 28, Doubles 16

This is the 4th edition of the tournament.

2022 champion: Novak Djokovic

Seeds (in order of seeding): Tallon Griekspoor, Sebastian Baez, Jiri Lehecka, Adrian Mannarino, Sebastian Korda, Alexander Bublik, Laslo Djere, Stan Wawrinka

Withdrawal: Borna Coric

Rolex Shanghai Masters ATP 1000
Quizhong Forest Sports City Arena
Shanghai, China
October 4 - 15, 2023

Bruce Lee - need I say more?

Surface: Hard

Draws: Singles 96, Doubles 32

This is the 12th edition of the tournament. The tourney has not been held since 2019 because of the Covid pandemic. That year Daniil Medvedev defeated Alexander Zverev.

This year the tournament will be expanded to 12 days with a 96-player draw for singles. The ITF J100 international youth tennis tournament, with men’s and women’s singles and doubles, will be held at the same time.

 
This year Roger Federer, who won the tournament twice, will be a celebrated guest. He is named “Icon Athlete of the Rolex Masters.”

The top 20 seeded players (of 32): Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Holger Rune, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev, Jannik Sinner, Taylor Fritz, Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev, Frances Tiafoe, Alex de Minaur, Tommy Paul, Karen Khachanov, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Cameron Norrie, Hubert Hurkacz, Lorenzo Musetti, Grigor Dimitrov, Ben Shelton, Francisco Cerundolo

Wildcards: Chinese players Bu Yunchaokete, Shang Juncheng, Te Rigele, plus Fabio Fognini, Diego Schwartzman

Withdrawals: There were 10 including Roberto Bautista Agut, Matteo Berrettini, Borna Coric, Novak Djokovic, Kei Nishikori, Milos Raonic, Denis Shapovalov

 👍Thanks Hartt👍