Tennis essentials, October 3: Rybakina falls on her Beijing return, Zverev v Djokovic in the quarters

In Beijing, the day cost the new queen of the WTA ranking her first defeat and produced the quarter-final that sums up the end of the season: Alexander Zverev against Novak Djokovic, with the number one spot in the German’s sights.

Rybakina falls at the first hurdle

Playing her first match since her US Open title and her rise to the top of the ranking, Elena Rybakina lost her opener at the WTA 1000 in Beijing: 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 against Alina Charaeva, the world number 118. The Armenian now plays Sonay Kartal of Britain for a place in the last sixteen.

Zverev sweeps Shang aside, Djokovic survives

Tomorrow’s quarter-final will go ahead: Alexander Zverev needed 55 minutes to see off Juncheng Shang (6-0, 6-3), enough of a stroll to switch off late in the match. “I lost a bit of concentration because it was not really a match any more”, he said. Novak Djokovic came from behind against Bu Yunchaokete (4-6, 7-6, 6-2), calling the trainer along the way. “This year has been a huge battle”, the Serb admitted; he remains unbeaten in 31 matches in Beijing.

Sinner out of Shanghai, the door opens for Zverev

Jannik Sinner, who has not played since his Wimbledon title on 12 July, has withdrawn from the Shanghai Masters, still hampered by his knee. Alexander Zverev holds his chance: win in Beijing and Shanghai, and he becomes world number one for the first time.

Nadal picks up a racket again in Manacor

Ten years after opening his academy, Rafael Nadal walked back onto the centre court in Manacor for an exhibition, alongside Andy Murray, Marat Safin, Dominic Thiem, Richard Gasquet, Carlos Moyà, David Ferrer and Fabio Fognini. “I really have no sporting ambition, other than having a good time and trying not to hurt ourselves”, the Majorcan warned.

Fils through in Tokyo, Humbert out

Arthur Fils beat Frances Tiafoe (6-3, 7-5) to reach the quarter-finals of the ATP 500 in Tokyo, his fourth win of the week in Japan. Carlos Alcaraz is there too after seeing off Matteo Arnaldi (7-6, 6-1). Ugo Humbert fell to Jiri Lehecka (5-7, 6-4, 6-4).

Boisson into the Adana final

Loïs Boisson reached the final of the WTA 125 in Adana by holding off Erika Andreeva (6-3, 4-6, 6-2), despite a medical time-out in the second set.