The China Open is back after a long hiatus. It is one of the biggest tournaments in Asia, part of both the ATP and the WTA circuits. The matches are played at the Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Center, with a seating capacity of 15,000. This makes for an incredible atmosphere, one that has players returning to the tour, in addition to the lucrative prize money.
The last time the China Open was held back was in 2019 before Covid-19 struck the following year. Additionally, the WTA suspended all tours in the country after the mysterious disappearance of Peng Shuai. However, the WTA rolled back their decision and the players are back in Beijing.
On the men’s side of the event, a total sum of $3,633,875 has been pooled. The total prize money is up 3.38% compared to 2019. The winner will get $679,550, while the runner-up will make $365,640. Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, who got knocked out from the semifinals, will pocket $194,860 each.
In the doubles category, the winner will go home with $223,210, while the runner-up will get $119,050. The semi-finalists will take home $60,240
On the women’s side, it is a WTA 1000 event, hence the prize money is a lot more. The champion will make a whopping $1,324,000, while the runner-up will pocket $780,000. The semifinalists will earn $402,000, while the quarterfinalists will make $185,018.
In the WTA doubles, the winner will earn $390,218, and the runner-up will get $218,001. There has been a significant drop in the amount in the doubles category this year.
Given the amount that the players will take back home, the quality of tennis has been incredible. It is evident that both fans and players have waited for this tournament.
How have players fared at the China Open so far?
It has been an exciting first few days at the China Open. Both Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are playing at the event. Gauff is coming off the back of her first Grand Slam victory- the US Open.
Sabalenka is playing the new world number one for the first time. She was down a break in both sets but came back hard to defeat Katie Boulter 7-5, 7-6 (2). Both players went toe-to-toe, but Sabalenka got the better of Boulter. “I definitely left everything I had on the court,” she said after the match (via BBC).
𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚… 🤏
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka edges past Katie Boulter 7-5 7-6 to reach the round of 16 in Beijing 🇨🇳👏@SabalenkaA | #2023ChinaOpen pic.twitter.com/xTdIBUeSLY
— Eurosport (@eurosport) October 3, 2023
Gauff took on Petra Martic. She rallied from a break in the final set to win the match 7-5, 5-7, 7-6 (2). With this win, the American has won 14 matches on the trot, including the US Open.
On the ATP side, Daniil Medvedev took on Alexander Zverev in the semifinal. This was their fifth matchup this year alone, and Medvedev emerged victorious. The Russian was simply unbeatable, as he pummeled Zverev.
Medvedev d. Zverev 6-4 6-3 in Beijing
Daniil has now beaten Sascha 4 out of the 5 times they’ve played this year.
One of the most entertaining rivalries in tennis was rather tame tonight.
✅9 match win streak in China
✅8th final of 2023Daniil delivers. 🐙 pic.twitter.com/lOoIwo2q0T
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 3, 2023
Carlos faced off against his bitter on-court rival, Jannik Sinner. The Italian was in incredible form, as he defeated Alcaraz in straight sets in the Diamond Court in Beijing. Sinner will lock horns with Medvedev in the final.
The China Open has been very exciting so far. The quality of tennis played here has always been phenomenal and this year is no exception.
