Australian Open adopts a sudden death point format, Djokovic fights to the limit to surpass Medvedev, a dark horse reaches quarterfinals, and Serena makes a comeback against Svitolina.

Three minutes daily to catch up on all things tennis. Hello tennis fans, today is Wednesday, October 8, 2025. Welcome to the midday news report brought to you by "Tennis Home."

Last night Beijing time, the Australian Open committee declared that a "sudden death point" format will debut at the 2026 Australian Open to enhance the global growth of tennis. This event will feature 32 players—22 professionals and 10 Australian amateurs—in a single-elimination format. The server or receiver will be decided by rock-paper-scissors, and each point will determine the winner immediately. The champion who wins five consecutive points will claim a prize of one million Australian dollars. Reports confirm that world number one, Spanish star Alcaraz, will participate. Some fans joked, "Isn't this the same format Shanghai tried years ago? They should ask the Australian Open for patent fees!"

Back to the courts. Last night Beijing time, the ATP1000 Shanghai Masters concluded the fourth round of the men's singles bottom half. Four-time champion and Serbian star Djokovic battled Spain’s Munar for 2 hours and 41 minutes, eventually winning 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals for the 11th time at this event. This marks Djokovic’s 97th career Masters quarterfinal, and at 38 years and 4 months, he surpassed Swiss legend Federer (38 years and 2 months) as the oldest player ever to reach a Masters singles quarterfinal.

However, during the match, Djokovic first requested a medical timeout due to calf discomfort, then appeared physically drained near the end of the second set, even collapsing on court. His resting posture on the chair looked even more pitiful than Medvedev’s exhaustion the previous day.

After the match, he skipped the on-site interview and media conference. The tournament organizers later issued a statement: "Djokovic is feeling unwell and is receiving treatment from the tournament doctor and ATP physiotherapist. He has been advised to rest and recover as much as possible before Thursday’s next round. He will not attend interviews today; thank you for your understanding." Despite missing the press conference, Djokovic posted on social media expressing his love for Shanghai: "It was a tough day on court, testing my physical limits. Fortunately, I received the strongest support from around the world. I love Shanghai."

In the quarterfinals, Djokovic will face Belgian player Verdasco, who also endured a 2 hour 48 minute battle, saving two match points in the deciding set tiebreak to overturn 31st seed Diallo 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(8), reaching his first Masters quarterfinal. The other two quarterfinal spots were claimed by 10th seed Rune and qualifier dark horse Vachero. Rune defeated French powerhouse Pericard 2-1, while Vachero eliminated Dutch top player Griekspoor in three sets, becoming the first Monegasque to reach a Masters singles quarterfinal.

Turning to the women’s court. Last night Beijing time, the WTA1000 Wuhan Open completed its second day of competition. In the first two second-round singles matches, second seed and Polish star Swiatek defeated Czech player Buzkova 6-1, 6-1 for a strong start. In another match, German veteran Sigmund battled for three hours to upset fifth seed, Russian rising star Mira Andreeva, winning 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-3 in a contest with a 19-year age gap between the players.

Remaining first-round matches: Chinese veteran Zhang Shuai, playing with a wildcard, defeated 14th seed American rising star Navarro 6-2, 2-6, 6-3, avenging last year’s China Open win and claiming her first Wuhan Open victory in seven years. Next, she will face Romanian Kostia, who advanced after Latvian star Ostapenko withdrew.

Other winners advancing include Noskova, Naomi Osaka, Mukhova, Sramkova, Kenin, Samsonova, Krystian, An Li, Fletcher, and Bencic.

In the women’s doubles first round: sixth seeds Guo Hanyu/Panova defeated Danilovic/Kostyuk 7-5, 6-3 and will face the cross-strait duo Jiang Xinyu/Zhan Haoqing; Yuan Yue/Andrescu narrowly beat Tang Qianhui/Wang Xiyu 7-6(4), 3-6, 10-7 and will challenge top seeds Errani/Babos.

Lastly, a guess and recognition challenge. The picture below shows a player during a match. Without any hints, can you identify who it is?

Last time’s guess was answered correctly by fans. Yes, the image showed the feet of men’s world number one Alcaraz.

(Source: Tennis Home Author: Maverick)