Many ATP players have been in Davis Cup action this week, although three notable players did withdraw. Next week sees the return of regular ATP tournaments in China, with the ATP Zhuhai Championships taking place. The current draw is strong, with nine of the world’s Top 50 slated to appear.
However, the draw has been affected slightly by withdrawals. This article lists three players who have withdrawn, including a Grand Slam winner, who was originally the #1 seed. The replacements for these three players are then provided in the following section.
Three Players Withdraw From ATP Zhuhai Championships
Daniil Medvedev is the most high-profile withdrawal. He was set to be the only Top 10 player in the draw. Unfortunately, the recent US Open finalist has taken the decision to not begin the Asian swing in Zhuhai. Medvedev does not appear to be suffering from any kind of injury. It is likely that the 2021 US Open champion feels that some additional rest is needed after a physically demanding run at the final Grand Slam of the year.
Lorenzo Sonego is another player who will be absent from the ATP Zhuhai Championships. The Italian has been representing his country in the Davis Cup this week, but endured a shock defeat to Canadian #200 Alexis Galarneau. It is possible that Sonego feels going straight to China after playing in Europe would be too difficult. Sonego’s decision to withdraw means his next appearance is expected to be in the qualifying for the ATP 500 in Beijing.
Jason Kubler is the third player to withdraw. The Australian was forced to retire from his US Open first-round match with Matteo Arnaldi due to a problem with his right knee. Kubler began limping in the first set, and then had to stop with the score at 6-3 1-0. There has been no official confirmation about why the 27-year-old has elected not to play at the ATP Zhuhai Championships. But it seems very likely that it is related to the injury he sustained.
Who Replaces Those Three Players in the Draw?
Aleksandar Kovacevic benefits from Medvedev’s withdrawal. The 25-year-old is immensely talented. He has shown that this season with victories against Cameron Norrie and French tennis stalwart Richard Gasquet. Yet the American is also inconsistent, losing to many less illustrious names in the early stages of Challenger Tour events. Kovacevic will hope that a good run at the ATP Zhuhai Championships can take him nearer to breaking into the Top 100.
James Duckworth is now in the draw after Sonego’s decision not to play in China next week. The experienced Australian was recently in the US Open main draw. Although he only got there as a lucky loser after the withdrawal of Kei Nishikori. Duckworth subsequently lost to Felipe Meligeni Alves in straight sets in the first round. He is currently outside the Top 100, but has been as high as #46 in the world in the past.
Finally, Dalibor Svrcina takes Kubler’s place at the ATP Zhuhai Championships. The Czech is currently at a career-high ranking of #163. He fell in the opening round of US Open qualifying, also to Felipe Meligeni Alves. The 20-year-old has just one ATP main tour victory to his name in three matches. Kubler’s withdrawal presents an opportunity for that tally to be added too.
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports
