Newsletter | Asian swing begins and success for Italy and Team World

The top players head to China and Japan after Italy retain the Billie Jean King Cup and Team World triumph in San Francisco

By Stephen Higgins | 24th September 2025

Joao Fonseca strikes a forehand at Roland Garros
After notching a win in the Laver Cup, can Joao Fonseca kick on indoors? | Crosscourt View

Into the autumn of the 2025 season, it’s all about the Asian capitals this fortnight. The China Open, which is a joint ATP/WTA event, has already begun with a strong field on both sides.

The men’s event features world no.2 Jannik Sinner along with Alexander Zverev, Alex de Minaur, Lorenzo Musetti and Karen Khachanov from the top 10. Meanwhile, as a WTA 1000, the women’s tournament has an even stronger entry list with Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, Mirra Andreeva, Jessica Pegula, Jasmine Paolini, Qinwen Zheng and Elena Rybakina all there.

Given the absence of world no.1 Aryna Sabalenka due to a ‘minor injury’, Swiatek will hope to close the gap of around 2,800 points with a strong showing in Beijing.

Beyond China, there is the ATP 500 in Tokyo and that’s where Carlos Alcaraz has ventured. The world no.1 leads a pretty tasty field in Japan and has Taylor Fritz, Holger Rune, Casper Ruud and Denis Shapovalov for company.

With the sport’s elite guaranteed their place in the Finals events, this is the time when those on the fringes need to make their moves.

In the ATP Race to Turin, the likes of Felix Auger-Aliassime, Andrey Rublev and Alexander Bublik have a good shot at making up ground, particularly with Jack Draper (no.9) out of Turin while Novak Djokovic (no.3) may skip it. On the women’s side, Paolini and Ekaterina Alexandrova are very much within range of Rybakina in eighth spot.

With the season winding down, look out for a surge from someone beyond the usual names. In recent years, we have seen important breakthroughs from players indoors including Daniil Medvedev (2019), Anett Kontaveit (2021) and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (2024).

Given the substantial hype surrounding him, it wouldn’t be a bad time for Joao Fonseca to find some indoor inspiration. Since he won Buenos Aires in February, the Brazilian hasn’t done a whole lot on the ATP Tour in the interim. However, after contributing to Team World’s success in the Laver Cup, maybe the 19-year-old can take that momentum into the closing stages of 2025?

I’m starting to work through photos taken during the year. The most recent event I’ve sorted is Ireland’s loss to China at Abbotstown this month. You can check out the gallery below.

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Gallery | 2025 Davis Cup: Ireland v China

The doubles teams in action during Ireland v China

BILLIE JEAN KING CUP FINALS

Jasmine Paolini was the heroine for her country as Italy retained the Billie Jean King Cup with a 2-0 triumph over the United States. Paolini went unbeaten through the Finals competition in singles and doubles as Italy overcame China, P.R. (quarters) and Ukraine (semis) en route to the title match.

Elisabetta Cocciaretto proved an able accomplice for the 29-year-old as she earned a singles victory against the Chinese before notching a win over Emma Navarro in the decider. With Italy 1-0 up, Paolini then dispatched Jessica Pegula 6-4 6-2 to seal her first win over the American, and retain the cup for her nation.

LAVER CUP

Andre Agassi began his captaincy of Team World in style as his charges defeated Yannick Noah’s European side 15-9 in San Francisco.

After Team Europe - led by Carlos Alcaraz - surged to a 3-1 lead on the first day, Taylor Fritz became the pivotal figure for the hosts as they turned the contest around.

Alex de Minaur and Francisco Cerundolo recorded early singles wins on day two before Fritz upset Alcaraz 6-3 6-2 - his first win over the Spaniard. Team World also took the doubles leaving Europe in a rut for the final day.

On day three, success in the doubles along with Alcaraz’s demolition job on Cerundolo brought Europe back in contention. However, Fritz clinchd the trophy with a straight sets win over Alexander Zverev.

WTA 500 | SEOUL

The Iga Swiatek revival continues apace but she was made to work in the championship match here. After cruising through the tournament, the world no.2 fought back from a set down to beat Ekaterina Alexandrova 1-6 7-6(3) 7-5 in nearly three hours. It’s the third title for the Pole in 2025 and the 25th of her career.

ATP 250 | HANGZHOU

Only two men have won four or more titles in 2025: Carlos Alcaraz and the under-the-radar maestro, Alexander Bublik. The Kazakh claimed his latest trophy with a hard fought 7-6(4) 7-6(4) victory over the stern resistance of Valentin Royer. Bublik now rises to a career high of 16th in the ATP rankings while the Frenchman moves inside the top 80 for the first time.

ATP 250 | CHENGDU

Alejandro Tabilo was the somewhat lucky champion here as Lorenzo Musetti blew two match points in the final set, and then a 4-1 lead in the decisive tie-break. The Chilean lefty is better known for his clay court prowess but showed a fine array of skills in the final as he clinched a third career title with a 6-3 2-6 7-6(5) scoreline. Tabilo moves up to no.70 in the world while Musetti remains ninth in the standings and well placed to make the ATP Finals.

In this section, I dig out an image from my vault of photos taken at various tournaments on tour.

Alexander Bublik hits a serve at Roland Garros

While Carlos Alcaraz’s four titles in 2025 have been of a higher profile, more credit should go to the less heralded Alexander Bublik (above). Long known for his erratic nature on court, the Kazakh has displayed new consistency and steel in 2025. The 28-year-old has won his four titles this season on grass (Halle), clay (Gstaad, Kitzbuhel) and hard (Hangzhou) and now sits inside the world’s top 20. I took this shot during a late match at Roland Garros in 2024.