US Open semi-finalist Karen Khachanov is one of several notable withdrawals from the Hangzhou Open, removing some of the event’s strongest names before play begins.

Alexander Bublik won the 2025 edition of the ATP 250 tournament, but he will not return to defend the title next week. In his absence, Daniil Medvedev has been installed as top seed, with compatriot Andrey Rublev seeded second and Tomas Martin Etcheverry third.

By the standards of the ATP 250 calendar, the draw looks lighter than most, with the fourth through eighth seeds ranked between No 49 and No 73 in the world. The field would have carried more weight had US Open quarter-finalist Alex Michelsen remained in the event, but he is also out and will not feature in the United States’ Davis Cup tie away to the Czech Republic.

Khachanov, who lost to eventual US Open champion Alexander Zverev last week, has opted for additional rest after his New York run. He shared on social media that he is already back on the practice courts.

French Open semi-finalist Matteo Arnaldi is another absentee, still searching for the level that took him to the last four at Roland Garros. Former US Open champion Marin Cilic, now 38, is also not competing, along with Thanasi Kokkinakis, whose injuries have pushed him outside the world’s top 400.

The third edition of the event begins the Asian Swing, ahead of tournaments in Chengdu, Japan, Beijing, and Shanghai.

There is also a clear rankings incentive at stake. If Medvedev wins the title, he could move above Felix Auger-Aliassime and rise to fifth in the ATP Tour rankings. Rublev, meanwhile, will aim to edge closer to the top 20 after what has been a difficult season so far.

Hangzhou Open withdrawals:
Karen Khachanov, Alex Michelsen, Matteo Arnaldi, Luca Van Assche, Daniel Altmaier, Corentin Moutet, Marin Čilić, Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Jannik Sinner has been advised to think twice before turning to Juan Carlos Ferrero, with speculation continuing that Carlos Alcaraz’s former coach could be added to the Italian’s camp in 2027.

The view comes from Rick Macci, Serena Williams’ former coach, who believes any such move would end up sharpening Alcaraz’s edge rather than weakening it.

Ferrero and Alcaraz ended their long partnership last December after seven years that produced six Grand Slam titles and multiple weeks at No 1. Since then, Samuel Lopez has taken the lead role in Alcaraz’s team and quickly guided him to the Australian Open, completing the career Grand Slam.

Now back in action at the US Open after four months away with a wrist injury, the 23-year-old is still building toward full fitness, while attention has shifted to Ferrero’s next step. The former French Open champion has already said he expects to return to the circuit, though he stopped short of identifying the player involved.

Speaking to Movistar+, he said, “ This year I’m very calm, enjoying my family and preparing for what’s coming next year. I think I’m going to return to the tennis circuit, but I can’t say with whom.”

Ferrero has previously said he would be open to coaching world No 1 Sinner one day, although a possible Rafael Jodar arrangement has also been mentioned.

Macci, who also coached Maria Sharapova, Venus Williams, and Andy Roddick, took the opposite view. In his eyes, a Ferrero-Sinner partnership would give Alcaraz extra fuel and push him to “dig even deeper”.

If Ferrero end up coaching /helping Sinner, my take is the exact opposite. This would help Carlos the most if they played. Now he mentally digs even deeper (if possible) and beats both of them now and then. Adversity makes greatness stronger. Greatness finds another gear ear to ear.…

Sinner is currently guided by Simone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill. Cahill had initially planned to leave at the end of 2025 before being persuaded to stay, but his long-term future remains unclear. If he does step away, Ferrero could emerge as a realistic option.

An intriguing few months lie ahead.

Serena Williams’ former coach Rick Macci believes Alexander Zverev must become more aggressive if he wants to challenge Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner more consistently in the years ahead.

Zverev captured his first Grand Slam title at the French Open earlier this year, doing so in a major where Sinner exited earlier than expected and Alcaraz was absent because of a wrist injury. At the US Open, Sinner did not take part because of a knee issue, while Alcaraz returned and reached the quarter-finals before losing to eventual finalist Ben Shelton.

That meant Zverev avoided both men in the two majors, but when he met them in 2026, the results went the other way. Alcaraz defeated him in five sets at the Australian Open, and Sinner beat him in four sets at Wimbledon.

Macci says the German has to change the way he plays if he is to truly test the sport’s leading pair. Speaking to Florida Tennis, he said, “He is volleying a little better. His brother [Mischa] was a great doubles player and had great volleys. He needs to sprinkle that in a little bit, but I think the wildcard is the confidence to take more chances.

“I don’t think Alcaraz or Sinner, when they’ve played him, are going to beat themselves. He is going to have to take it. Indoors might be easier; he could serve at 80%. It’s more about confidence and going after his shots a bit more and making them uncomfortable.”

Zverev’s records against both men underline the challenge. He is 4-11 against Sinner, with the Italian winning their last 10 meetings. Against Alcaraz, he trails 7-6, although in Australia he served for the match before losing in five sets.

Macci also pointed to Zverev’s return position as a key issue. Known for standing deep behind the baseline, the 6ft 6in player can leave himself exposed to serve-and-volley patterns. The 71-year-old wants him closer to the line and more willing to attack short balls.

Macci, who has also coached Andy Roddick and Jennifer Capriati, added, “He needs to stand much closer to the baseline on the return of serve. He’s so far back, sometimes he’s standing in Germany. You cannot be that far back, especially with his backhand because he can take it on the rise and give you a surprise.

“I would alter the return of serve and practice putting that into his game more. And with anything short, he’s going to have to have the courage to move to the approach shot and come in. Because the more you fail, the more you’re going to succeed.”