4 Players Withdraw From ATP Chengdu Open

The 2026 Chengdu Open, set to be played from September 23 to 29 at the Sichuan International Tennis Center, has seen several changes ahead of the ATP 250 event in China. Four players are currently set to miss the tournament. Each withdrawal has opened a place in the 28-player main draw. The chances come in a tournament led by Valentin Vacherot, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, and 2025 Chengdu champion Alejandro Tabilo.

Yannik Hanfmann is perhaps the most notable absence. The German was initially listed at No.54 and knows Chengdu well. His best result at the tournament came in 2024, when he reached the semifinals, beating Pedro Martinez in the quarterfinals before losing to eventual champion Shang Juncheng.

Jan-Lennard Struff is among the players who have withdrawn. The German was originally included in the main-draw entry list but has since been removed, leaving a vacancy just days before the tournament begins.

Roman Andres Burruchaga is another player who will not compete in Chengdu this year. The Argentine was originally scheduled to play at the ATP 250 bus has since withdrawn, creating another opening in the draw.

Thiago Agustin Tirante has also withdrawn from Chengdu. The 25-year-old was initially in the draw alongside fellow countrymen Sebastian Baez, Juan Manuel Cerundolo, and Camilo Ugo Carabelli.

<

May 27, 2019; Paris, Yannick Hanfmann (GER) in action during his match against Rafael Nadal (ESP) on day two of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

The four withdrawals have opened up places in the main draw for Martin Damm, James Duckworth, Aleksandar Kovacevic, and Lorenzo Sonego.

Damm will replace Hanfmann and being the tournament with a first-round against a qualifier. Kovacevic, who takes Burruchaga’s place, will also face a qualifier in the first round. Both players could then have a tough second-round test. With Kovacevic potentially meeting top seed Valentin Vacherot and Damm potentially facing Hubert Hurkacz.

Duckworth and Sonego meanwhile, will face each other in the first round after entering the tournament following the withdrawals of Struff and Tirante. The Australian and Italian have already met three times, with Sonego leading their head-to-head 2-1, although Duckworth won their most recent match in Winston-Salem last month. The winner will then face either Sebastian Baez or Jenson Brooksby in the second round.

Further changes to the main draw remain possible before the tournament begins, so the final adjustments could still shift.

The tournament will give its competitors another opportunity to make good results during the Asian swing. Players will be looking to settle with ranking points and a title in offer, where they will be looking to take advantage and put together a strong week in Chengdu. A deep round could be important for those who seek to improve their rankings, while winning matches could also help players gain confidence for the remaining of the swing.

There is still plenty to play in for Chengdu. Some players will be looking to build a momentum following the US Open, while others will see the ATP 250 as a chance to put together their games and improve ranking positions. With several places in the draw changing shortly before the start, the opening rounds could provide some interesting matchups as the tournament gets underway.

Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports