World #2 Novak Djokovic leads the way as the ATP tour stops in Beijing for the China Open. He is accompanied by the world’s top two doubles teams in a tournament that’s sure to produce some of the best tennis during this year’s Asian swing. Unless something unexpected happens, Djokovic will walk away from this event as its three-time champion in as many years. In his way are David Ferrer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The qualifiers in the singles draw include Brian Baker, Matthew Ebden, Michael Berrer, and Alex Bogomolov Jr. Brian Baker continues to make a comeback and had to come through fellow countryman Donald Young in the final round of qualifying. Bogomolov Jr. is trying to turn his year around and looked strong through qualifying. Ebden is a journeyman player who’s proving to be more successful in his 250 and 500 events. Michael Berrer is the unluckiest of qualifiers as he must face Djokovic in the first round. American Ryan Harrison is one of the youngest players in the draw and the trend of veteran players dominating the upper echelon of the ATP tour continues…
Bob and Mike Bryan, fresh from some downtime after the U.S. Open, are back in action as the top seeds in Beijing. On their heels for the #1 spot are the #2 seeds, Max “The Beast” Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor. They will have to start strong if they want to take the title as they face Julien Benneteau and Richard Gasquet in the first round. Benneteau is a strong doubles player with good returns and length at net while Gasquet comes into Beijing hot off a singles title victory over Gilles Simon.
Topics: Alex Bogomolov Jr, ATP tennis news, Beijing tennis news, Brian Baker, China Open 2012, Daniel Nestor, David Ferrer, Donald Young, Jo Wilfried Tsonga, Matthew Ebden, Max Mirnyi, Michael Berrer, Novak Djokovic, Ryan Harrison