China Open poised to shine despite absent stars

Even with the withdrawal of two of its brightest stars, the 2016 China Open in Beijing is still set to serve tennis fans a spectacular during the National Day holiday, highlighted by heavyweight clashes.

With a festival atmosphere already pervading the Chinese capital, the annual tournament swings into action on Saturday at north Beijing downtown's National Tennis Center.

As the biggest combined tournament on the Asian leg of the professional tennis calendar, this year's China Open has attracted all available top-47 women players and most of the top-30 men to fight for a share of $9.2 million in total prize money as well as the 1,000 and 500 ranking points for the female and male champions.