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Top 5 Photos, October 1: Djokovic's winning return; Osaka all smiles

Making his Tokyo debut, Novak Djokovic brushed aside concerns regarding his left shoulder after winning his first match since retiring in the fourth round of the US Open.

By Jordaan SanfordPublished October 01, 2019

It was just another great day at the office for most of the top names as they continued their campaigns on Tuesday in China and Japan. These are the Top 5 photos that sum up the action.

1. Novak Djokovic had a great day at the office in Japan. The No. 1 seed rallied past Alexei Popyrin in his Tokyo opener 6-4, 6-2. The 16-time Grand Slam champion will next face wild card Go Soeda in the second round. It was a positive first match back since retiring in the US Open's fourth round against Stan Wawrinka due to a left shoulder injury.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic signs his autograph for the fans at the end of his first round match in the men's singles at the ATP Japan Open Tennis tournament in Tokyo on October 1, 2019. (Photo by Behrouz MEHRI / AFP) (Photo credit should read BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP/Getty Images) — © AFP/Getty Images

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2. A little more than a week after winning the Osaka crown, Naomi Osaka has maintained her form at the China Open. The two-time major champion was all smiles, keeping her winning streak alive by dismissing Andrea Petkovic 6-2, 6-0, to advance into the third round. The world No. 4 will face American Alison Riske, who is arguably having the strong season of her career.

BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 01: Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts during the Women's singles 2 round match against Andrea Petkovic of Germany of 2019 China Open at the China National Tennis Center on October 1, 2019 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) — © 2019 Getty Images

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3. Elina Svitolina helped tournament organizers celebrate their country's National Day following her second-round victory. The Ukrainian survived two tight sets to claim the match, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (1), over Wang Yafan. The No. 3 seed will face American Sofia Kenin for a spot in the quarterfinals.

BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 01: Elina Svitolina of the Ukraine attends the birthday celebrations at the China National Tennis Center on October 01, 2019 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Emmanuel Wong/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

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4. Zheng Saisai ousted No. 13 seed Sloane Stephens, 6-3, 6-1, to set up a third-round clash against top-ranked Ashleigh Barty. Dropping only four games, Zheng played some of her best tennis in front of her home crowd in China. The world No. 39 is reaching new heights this season after claiming two titles this year—including one at the Premier level in San Jose.

BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 01: Zheng Saisai of China celebrates after defeating Sloane Stephens of the United States during the Women's Singles 2nd Round of 2019 China Open at the China National Tennis Center on October 1, 2019 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) — © 2019 Getty Images

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5. Americans Sofia Kenin and Bethanie Mattek-Sands upset US Open champions Elise Mertens and Aryna Sabalenka, 6-3, 7-6 (5). The pair, making their team debut this week. appears to be perfectly in sync thus far. Kenin also claimed her singles match earlier in the day against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 6-3, 6-2.

BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 01: Bethanie Mattek - Sands of the United States and Sofia Kenin of United States celebrate after winning the match of 2019 China Open against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus and Elise Mertens of Belgium at the China National Tennis Center on October 01, 2019 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Emmanuel Wong/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

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