Insight Report: Musetti and Rublev Shine at Chengdu and Hangzhou, with Alcaraz Taking the Stage at the Laver Cup
A quick guide for every tennis enthusiast on what to expect this upcoming week
September 15, 2025
Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Lorenzo Musetti and Andrey Rublev battle at ATP 250 events, while Carlos Alcaraz showcases his skills at the Laver Cup.
By ATP Staff
The ATP Tour’s 2025 Asian tour launches this Wednesday with an exciting doubleheader at the ATP 250 events in China. Additionally, the much-anticipated eighth edition of the Laver Cup, featuring world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, is set to unfold from September 19-21 in San Francisco.
World No. 9 Lorenzo Musetti headlines at the Chengdu Open, striving to enhance his chances for a spot in the Nitto ATP Finals. In the Lynk & Co Hangzhou Open, renowned former Top 10 players Andrey Rublev and Daniil Medvedev take center stage as the top seeds.
Alcaraz aims to build on his impressive debut at last year’s Laver Cup held in Berlin, leading Team Europe in their quest for back-to-back victories. The American Taylor Fritz will spearhead Team World’s mission to reclaim the trophy in San Francisco.
ATPTour.com explores five key storylines to watch across all three events.
FIVE STORYLINES TO FOLLOW IN CHENGDU
1) Musetti Leads the Pack: Making his third consecutive appearance in Chengdu, Musetti looks to improve on last year’s runner-up finish against Shang Juncheng. With a current position as the eighth player in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, a deep run could significantly boost his chances for the Nitto ATP Finals.
2) Shang Aims to Defend His Title: The #NextGenATP talent Shang made history last year as the first Chinese player to clinch an ATP Tour title on home soil. Despite battling injuries that limited his play in 2025, he will rely on local support to revitalize his season against Zizou Bergs in the first round.
Watch Shang’s thrilling victory over Musetti in the 2024 Chengdu Final:
3) Can Darderi and Wong Sustain Momentum from the US Open?: Luciano Darderi, the second seed, seeks to continue his impressive run after reaching the third round at the US Open, where only eventual champion Alcaraz could halt his progress. Wild card Coleman Wong also achieved third-round success in New York and is eager to make an impression on his Chengdu debut.
4) Prizmic Targets Jeddah Qualification: Currently fourth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, Dino Prizmic aims to heighten his chances for the Next Gen ATP Finals in Chengdu. The 20-year-old Croatian enters the main draw via a Next Gen Accelerator entry spot designated for emerging stars ranked within the Top 250.
5) Harrison/King Head the Doubles Charge: The duo of Christian Harrison and Evan King enter as top seeds in Chengdu, striving for their debut at the Nitto ATP Finals. Their chief rivals include the defending champions Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul.
FIVE STORYLINES TO FOLLOW IN HANGZHOU
1) Rublev Seeks Turin Redemption: The 27-year-old Rublev must rally for a late-season comeback to secure his sixth consecutive appearance at the Nitto ATP Finals. Currently positioned 11th in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, he faces a challenging path ahead.
2) Medvedev Looks for a Comeback: Since reaching the Halle final in June, former World No. 1 Medvedev holds a 3-5 record. He hopes to regain form in Hangzhou, chasing his 21st tour-level title, potentially clashing with defending champion Marin Cilic early on.
Watch Cilic’s emotional triumph at the Hangzhou 2024 event:
3) Hometown Hero Zhang Returns: Zhang Zhizhen takes to the court for the first time since March, entering Hangzhou as a wild card. He will face his compatriot Buyunchaokete, while local favorite Wu Yibing, back in the Top 200, opens against sixth seed Adrian Mannarino.
4) Bublik and Tien Among Seeds: The in-form Alexander Bublik, with 11 victories in his last 12 matches, looks to carry momentum as the third seed. Alongside him is #NextGenATP talent Learner Tien, making his ATP Tour debut in China.
5) Cabral/Miedler Dominate Doubles Lineup: The pairing of Francisco Cabral and Lucas Miedler enter as the top-seeded doubles team in Hangzhou, aiming for their second ATP 250 title this year. Americans Robert Cash and JJ Tracy, recent semi-finalists at the US Open, are the second seeds.
FIVE STORYLINES TO FOLLOW AT THE LAVER CUP
1) Alcaraz in Action as World No. 1: This event marks Alcaraz’s first competition as the top player in the PIF ATP Rankings since September 2023. He made a significant impact during his debut in Berlin last year, winning eight points across four matches for Team Europe’s triumph.
2) Team World’s Strong Lineup: World No. 5 Taylor Fritz and No. 8 Alex de Minaur lead Team World’s charge to reclaim the Laver Cup at home. With multiple previous appearances, Fritz brings a wealth of experience, while De Minaur returns for his second stint after contributing to Team World’s 2021 victory.
3) New Leadership: Agassi and Noah: This year’s Laver Cup introduces new captains for both teams. Andre Agassi steps in for the legendary John McEnroe as Team World’s captain, with Patrick Rafter as vice-captain. Frenchman Yannick Noah takes the reins for Team Europe, supported by Tim Henman.
4) Exciting New Faces: Two of the ATP Tour’s brightest prospects will debut at the Laver Cup this year. Jakub Mensik, who claimed his first ATP Masters 1000 title earlier this year, will represent Team Europe. Joao Fonseca, the reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion, will play for Team World.
5) Distinctive Competition Structure: The Laver Cup will span three days from September 19-21 across five sessions. Match victories are valued at one point on Friday, two on Saturday, and three on a decisive Sunday, with the first team to collect 13 points emerging victorious.
