Tennis essentials, 30 September: Djokovic wins in pain, Fils backs up his top 10 entry, Sinner’s knee still a question

The Asian swing held its first big Wednesday: Novak Djokovic won his first match since Wimbledon despite a back scare, Arthur Fils confirmed his new status in Tokyo, and Jannik Sinner’s knee has still given no answers.

Djokovic wins in pain in Beijing

Bothered by his back, with the physio called several times, Novak Djokovic beat Portugal’s Nuno Borges 6-3, 7-6 (2) in the China Open first round. It is his first win since the Wimbledon semi-finals in July, in a tournament he last played in 2015: six entries, six titles, and now thirty straight wins there. “I wasn’t expecting that,” he said of the crowd’s welcome.

Fils through qualifying, solid in the main draw

Entered too late after his US Open defeat, the world No 9 had to play Tokyo qualifying, a first in twenty years for a player of his rank. He came through, then beat fellow Frenchman Luca Van Assche 6-3, 6-2 in the first round. “We made the decision after my US Open defeat, six or seven hours too late,” he admitted. Our report looks back at his top 10 entry.

Sinner’s knee raises the alarm

Crowned at Wimbledon on 12 July, Jannik Sinner has not played a match since and withdrew from Beijing. Saying little about his knee, the Italian world No 1 leaves his country’s press fearing a long delay: surgery would mean at least three to four months out.

Alcaraz defends the Grand Slam heritage

In Tokyo, where he is the defending champion, Carlos Alcaraz dismissed the idea of best-of-three sets at the Slams: “If we switch Grand Slams to best of three, I think we destroy the heritage of these tournaments.” He opens against Alex Michelsen of the United States.

Atmane’s retirement raises eyebrows

At the Jingshan Challenger, Térence Atmane left the court with no official explanation at 5-5 in the third set against Sweden’s Elias Ymer, minutes after serving for the match (6-4, 5-7, 5-5, ret.). The reactions have been sharp around the tour.

Nishikori says goodbye in Tokyo

The Tokyo ATP 500 will be the last tournament of Kei Nishikori’s career. The former world No 4, runner-up at the 2014 US Open, owned the moment in front of the press: “It is very emotional. I have mixed feelings. I can’t wait to play in Japan. But I also know this is my last moment.”