Good week / bad week: Murray, Djokovic & Domi

From winners to losers by way of a couple of injuries, the last seven days in tennis has had its fair share of highs and lows. But who has had a good week, and who has struggled?

Good week

Andy Murray: It goes without saying that Andy Murray had a good week in Shanghai. But there’s more to it than just lifting a spiky trophy. Because as Djokovic starts to stutter, Murray is playing some of the tennis of his life. The gap to the world No.1 ranking is growing ever smaller, and if the Brit can keep this run going there’s every indication that he’ll close it some more before the end of 2016.

Roberto Bautista Agut: Hola Roberto! Anyone who has followed tennis over the last couple of years knows that Bautista Agut is a talent. In Shanghai, the talent really started to shine. The Spaniard downed Tsonga and Djokovic before hanging with an inspired Andy Murray for the first set (and falling away in the second). Good points + good dollars + good wins = a very good week indeed.

Dominika Cibulkova: There’s nothing quite like sealing a bumper prize purse, and then realising you’ve just landed an even bigger bumper prize purse. By winning Linz, Domi sealed her spot at the lucrative WTA Champs and can now finally book that all-expenses paid holiday to the Maldives. Everyone’s a winner (but particularly Cibulkova).

An honourable mention to…
Peng Shuai: Remember her? The former US Open semifinalist has seen her ranking plummet over recent years due to injury and inconsistency. Maybe a win in Tianjin will help to steady that ship.

Mischa Zverev: The lesser-known Zverev proved that big brother has still got it. Steaming into the Shanghai quarterfinals, Mischa was on the cusp of upsetting Novak Djokovic before reality kicked in.

Bad week

Nick Kyrgios: What a difference seven days make. A week ago we were waxing lyrical about Kyrgios’ stellar win in Tokyo. This week we’re lamenting his capitulation in the second round of Shanghai. The tennis world shook its head, Nick shrugged his shoulders, and the ATP slapped him with a hefty fine and a suspension.

Novak Djokovic: Shaky. That’s probably the best way to describe Novak Djokovic’s return to action in Shanghai. He started well, had a stumble against Mischa Zverev before cracking against Bautista Agut. The second half of this season has not been kind to the Serb.

Johanna Konta: After walloping her way through to the final in Beijing, Jo Konta’s abdomen decided that it had had enough this week. The Brit was forced to withdraw from Hong Kong, and as a result lost out on a place at the WTA Champs in Singapore.

An honourable mention to…
Garbine Muguruza: Qualify for the WTA Champs, twist your ankle. It was a familiar tale of highs and lows for the Spanish star as her twisty-turney year took yet another (unfortunate) twist.

Rafa Nadal: Pobre Rafa. Shanghai had all the makings of being the big prize Rafa needed to cement his confidence. Instead, a drubbing from Viktor Troicki left the former world No.1 contemplating packing his bags and going home for the rest of the season.