We’re Going Five

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is an ATP Masters 1000 champion, Rafa Jódar is making waves, and Joao Fonseca’s season ends in heartbreak! 🎾🔥 The Shanghai Masters delivered breakthrough performances, major ranking battles and big questions about the ATP’s next generation.
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Welcome to Season 3, Episode 39 of the WGF Podcast, where Yousef, Ismaeel and Haroon break down the biggest stories from the Shanghai Masters and look ahead to Almaty, Lyon and Brussels!

🏆 Davidovich Fokina Joins the Masters Champions Club!
From starting his career 0–5 in finals to winning Shanghai, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina has completed a remarkable turnaround. After coming from a set down against Alexander Zverev, Rafa Jódar and Hubert Hurkacz, is this the breakthrough that changes his career?

🚀 Did Rafa Jódar Prove Anything New in Shanghai?
Four consecutive comeback wins, a straight-sets victory over former champion Daniil Medvedev and a first Masters final. Just how high can the young Spaniard climb?

📈 Are the 1990s Generation Back at Their Best?
Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev and Davidovich Fokina all made headlines in Shanghai. Is the generation born in the 1990s ready to take control again?

🎾 Djokovic in Basel & Alcaraz in Vienna
Novak Djokovic returns to Basel after 11 years as he continues his push towards the ATP Finals. Meanwhile, what should we expect from Carlos Alcaraz in Vienna?

🏁 Who Makes the ATP Finals?
The race is heating up, with Cobolli, Medvedev, Tiafoe, Fils, Jódar, De Minaur, Djokovic and Fritz battling for a place among the world's best eight. Who gets in, and who misses out?

💔 Joao Fonseca's Season-Ending Injury
Lingering back problems bring Fonseca's season to an early end. After starting the year with back issues, the Brazilian faces another setback. How damaging will this be to his ranking and development? And were our Top 5 and Top 10 season predictions way off?

👋 Gaël Monfils' Silent Retirement?
Monfils was expected to play Paris and Lyon, but withdrew from both tournaments. Are we witnessing the quiet end of an incredible tennis career?

🔮 Who Ya Got? Almaty, Lyon & Brussels!
Who wins this week's tournaments? Drop your picks and predictions in the comments!

👇 JOIN THE DEBATE!
Can Davidovich Fokina build on his biggest career breakthrough? Is Jódar ready to compete with the elite? Who deserves the final ATP Finals spots? And what comes next for Fonseca?
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Novak Djokovic makes history in Beijing, Carlos Alcaraz dominates Tokyo, Jannik Sinner’s season ends through injury, and Alexander Zverev becomes World No. 1. Plus our full Shanghai Masters 2026 preview. 🔥🎾

 

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Welcome to We’re Going Five Podcast Season 3 Episode 38, our full Beijing & Tokyo 2026 Recap.

 

Djokovic adds another historic title to his career. Alcaraz remains perfect in Tokyo. Sinner receives a major injury update. Zverev reaches World No. 1. And before we leave the Asian swing, we preview the Shanghai Masters and make our champion picks.

 

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

 

0:00:00 Intro

00:00:59 Novak Djokovic Rewrites History in Beijing

00:15:00 Carlos Alcaraz Dominates in Tokyo

00:23:48 Thoughts on Sinner’s Season Ending Injury?

00:33:42 Zverev To Become The New World No.1!

00:41:42 Biggest Winners of the week!

00:45:19 Spicy No Spicy?

00:50:46 Overreaction or Not?

00:58:59 Shanghai Masters Preview

01:03:20 Who Ya Got in Shanghai?

 

🐐 NOVAK DJOKOVIC REWRITES HISTORY IN BEIJING

 

Novak Djokovic does it again.

 

34-0 in Beijing.

 

The best record he has produced at any tournament.

 

The oldest ATP 500 champion in history.

 

And career title No. 102.

 

Djokovic had to go through three completely different challenges on his way to the title:

 

Alexander Zverev from a set down.

Daniil Medvedev in straight sets.

Alex de Minaur in a tiebreak battle.

 

At this stage of his career, how is Novak STILL doing this?

 

And after everything we have seen in 2026, could another huge title still be coming before the season ends?

 

👑 CARLOS ALCARAZ DOMINATES TOKYO

 

Carlos Alcaraz continues his ridiculous run.

 

10-0 in Tokyo.

 

Back-to-back Tokyo titles.

 

Four consecutive ATP 500 tournaments won.

 

And career title No. 27.

 

Alcaraz is now third among Spanish men for career titles, behind only the legends ahead of him.

 

After the injury problems that interrupted his season, Carlos has come back firing.

 

So how high is his level right now?

 

And could Alcaraz actually finish 2026 without losing another match?

 

🚨 JANNIK SINNER’S SEASON IS OVER

 

Jannik Sinner’s injury problems continue.

 

Sinner has been advised to rest and continue therapy for his tendon issues rather than undergo surgery, bringing his 2026 season to an early end.

 

What does this mean long term?

 

Is avoiding surgery the right decision?

 

And after such a complicated year physically, what version of Sinner should we expect when he returns?

 

🥇 ZVEREV BECOMES WORLD NO. 1

 

Alexander Zverev reaches World No. 1 and becomes the 30th man in ATP history to hold the top ranking.

 

It is another enormous milestone in what has already been a career-changing season.

 

But there is an interesting wrinkle:

 

Zverev has only two Top 10 wins all year.

 

Does that matter?

 

Or does becoming World No. 1 simply prove that consistency across an entire season matters more than individual marquee wins?

 

📈 BIGGEST WINNERS OF THE WEEK

 

Outside the champions, who improved their stock the most?

 

Alex de Minaur?

 

Jiri Lehecka?

 

Valentin Vacherot?

 

We pick the players leaving the week with the biggest momentum boost.

 

🌶️ SPICY NO SPICY

 

Daniil Medvedev finds himself at the center of controversy again after his Djokovic match and a default following an incident involving a fan.

 

Then there is Terence Atmane, who retired from two tournaments in consecutive weeks deep in deciding sets and also threw his racket into the stands.

 

Spicy?

 

No spicy?

 

Or completely unacceptable?

 

🧨 OVERREACTION OR NOT?

 

Novak Djokovic will win another big title before the end of 2026.

 

Carlos Alcaraz will not lose another match this year.

 

Djokovic should never play Beijing again and protect the perfect record.

 

Rafael Jodar will not regain his form until 2027.

 

Four takes.

 

Four verdicts.

 

🇨🇳 SHANGHAI MASTERS PREVIEW

 

The Asian swing continues with the Shanghai Masters 2026.

 

We break down the draw, the biggest contenders, dangerous matchups, upset possibilities and the players carrying momentum into another Masters 1000 event.

 

🏆 WHO YA GOT IN SHANGHAI?

 

Ismaeel.

 

Haroon.

 

Yousef.

 

Three champion picks.

 

Who leaves Shanghai with the trophy?

 

👇 DROP YOUR TAKE

 

Can Djokovic win another major title this season?

 

Will Alcaraz lose again in 2026?

 

What does Sinner’s injury mean for next year?

 

And who are YOU taking to win Shanghai?

 

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US Open 2026 Final Recap: Alexander Zverev defeats Ben Shelton to become US Open champion, Elena Rybakina conquers New York, and we debate what both results mean for the future of tennis. 🏆🇺🇸

 

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Welcome to the We’re Going Five Podcast US Open 2026 Final Recap.

 

Alexander Zverev is the US Open champion. Ben Shelton’s incredible New York run finishes one match short of his first Grand Slam. Elena Rybakina captures the women’s US Open title.

 

We break down both finals, debate our biggest US Open overreactions, reveal who nailed their pre-tournament predictions and dark horses, and make our super early ATP Finals 2026 picks.

 

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

 

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:52 ZVEREV CROWNED US OPEN KING!

00:22:10 WHAT'S NEXT FOR SHELTON?

00:31:12 RYBAKINA CONQUERS NEW YORK!

00:43:09 OVERREACTION OR NOT?

00:50:30 PREDICTIONS & DARK HORSE REVEAL

00:59:33 SUPER EARLY ATP FINALS PICKS!

 

👑 ZVEREV CROWNED US OPEN KING

 

Alexander Zverev wins the 2026 US Open.

 

After another incredible Grand Slam season, Sascha leaves Arthur Ashe Stadium with another major trophy and strengthens his case as one of the best players in the world.

 

We break down the Zverev vs Shelton US Open final, how Zverev neutralized Shelton’s weapons, and why Sascha continues to look increasingly comfortable in the biggest matches in tennis.

 

Was the difference his serve?

 

His backhand?

 

His ability to absorb Shelton’s first strike?

 

Or simply his experience in these moments?

 

And after everything Zverev has accomplished in 2026…

 

Can Sascha finish the season as World No. 1?

 

🇺🇸 WHAT’S NEXT FOR BEN SHELTON?

 

Ben Shelton falls one match short of becoming a Grand Slam champion.

 

But this US Open changed the conversation around him.

 

Shelton showed improved patience, stronger returning, better rally tolerance and the ability to beat elite players deep in a major.

 

So what happens next?

 

Is Shelton officially a legitimate Grand Slam contender?

 

What still separates him from the very best players in the world?

 

And was this actually Ben Shelton’s best chance to win a Slam, or are his biggest opportunities still ahead of him?

 

👑 RYBAKINA CONQUERS NEW YORK

 

Elena Rybakina is the 2026 US Open champion.

 

One of the most dangerous power players in women’s tennis delivers on one of the biggest stages in the sport.

 

We break down why Rybakina’s serve and first-strike tennis are so devastating on hard courts, what this championship means for her place in the WTA hierarchy, and how high her ceiling really is when healthy.

 

Which leads to one huge question:

 

Can Elena Rybakina complete the Career Grand Slam in 2027?

 

🧨 OVERREACTION OR NOT?

 

Four takes. Four verdicts.

 

Zverev will finish 2026 as Year-End World No. 1.

 

This was Ben Shelton’s best chance to win a Grand Slam.

 

Elena Rybakina will complete the Career Grand Slam next year.

 

Aryna Sabalenka will finish the year outside the Top 4.

 

Overreaction… or are we actually cooking?

 

🔮 PREDICTIONS & DARK HORSE REVEAL

 

Time to pull out the receipts.

 

Before the US Open started, we made our champion predictions, early exit picks, Ride or Die selections and dark horse choices.

 

Now the tournament is finished.

 

Who actually predicted the champions?

 

Which dark horse made the deepest run?

 

Who completely misunderstood the draw?

 

Which pick died immediately?

 

And who gets bragging rights until the next Grand Slam?

 

We reveal all of our pre-tournament picks and grade how well our US Open 2026 predictions actually aged.

 

🎯 SUPER EARLY ATP FINALS PICKS

 

The Grand Slam season is over.

 

Now the ATP Race to Turin gets serious.

 

Who qualifies for the 2026 ATP Finals?

 

Who misses out?

 

Which player could make a late-season surge?

 

And if the ATP Finals started tomorrow…

 

Who would we pick to win the whole thing?

 

👇 JOIN THE DEBATE

 

Will Zverev finish 2026 as World No. 1?

 

Was this Shelton’s best chance at a Slam?

 

Can Rybakina complete the Career Grand Slam?

 

Does Sabalenka finish outside the Top 4?

 

And who wins the ATP Finals?

 

Drop your takes below 👇

 

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US Open 2026 semifinal recap: Ben Shelton beats Frances Tiafoe, Alexander Zverev defeats Karen Khachanov, and now Shelton vs Zverev is set for the US Open final. We break down both semifinals and preview who wins the title in New York. 🇺🇸🎾

 

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Welcome to our US Open 2026 Semifinal Recap on the We’re Going Five Podcast.

 

We react to Ben Shelton vs Frances Tiafoe, break down Alexander Zverev vs Karen Khachanov, and preview the massive Ben Shelton vs Alexander Zverev US Open final.

 

Who has the edge? What decided the semifinals? And who leaves New York as US Open champion?

 

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:46 THOUGHTS ON SHELTON VS TIAFOE?

00:15:00 THOUGHTS ON ZVEREV VS KHACHANOV?

00:25:47 SHELTON VS ZVEREV PREVIEW

00:34:20 WYG: SHELTON OR ZVEREV?

 

🇺🇸 SHELTON BEATS TIAFOE

 

Ben Shelton gets through Frances Tiafoe and reaches the biggest final of his career.

 

After finally earning his first Top 3 victory earlier in the tournament, Shelton keeps the momentum going inside Arthur Ashe Stadium and survives an all-American US Open semifinal with everything on the line.

 

How much has Shelton actually improved during this US Open?

 

Is his serve still the biggest story, or has his return game, movement, shot tolerance and decision-making finally caught up with the enormous weapons everyone already knew he had?

 

And for Frances Tiafoe, after another deep run in New York, should this US Open feel like major progress or another enormous opportunity missed?

 

💪 ZVEREV GETS PAST KHACHANOV

 

Alexander Zverev defeats Karen Khachanov and reaches another Grand Slam final.

 

Zverev has been one of the most consistent Grand Slam players in men’s tennis throughout 2026, and now he has another opportunity to add to his major collection.

 

What stood out most against Khachanov?

 

Was it the first serve?

 

The backhand?

 

His baseline patience?

 

Or simply Zverev looking increasingly comfortable in the biggest matches on the ATP Tour?

 

🔥 SHELTON VS ZVEREV US OPEN FINAL PREVIEW

 

Now we get the matchup.

 

Ben Shelton vs Alexander Zverev for the 2026 US Open title.

 

Shelton brings one of the biggest serves in tennis, explosive first-strike power, left-handed patterns, Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd support and absolutely no fear.

 

Zverev brings Grand Slam final experience, elite serving, one of the best two-handed backhands in tennis and the confidence of a player who has consistently reached the business end of majors this season.

 

The tactical questions are fascinating.

 

Can Shelton consistently attack Zverev’s forehand?

 

Can Zverev neutralize Shelton’s lefty serve?

 

Who wins the backhand exchanges?

 

Can Shelton keep the rallies short and dictate with his forehand?

 

Can Zverev turn this into a physical baseline battle?

 

And if the US Open final becomes a four or five-hour fight, which player do we trust more under pressure?

 

🎯 WHO YA GOT?

 

BEN SHELTON OR ALEXANDER ZVEREV?

 

Does Shelton complete the dream New York run and win his first Grand Slam title?

 

Or does Zverev’s experience and consistency become too much in the biggest match of the tournament?

 

👇 DROP YOUR PICK

 

Shelton or Zverev?

 

How many sets?

 

And who will be holding the US Open trophy at Arthur Ashe Stadium?

 

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Shelton finally beats a Top 3 player. Tiafoe comes back from TWO sets down with Michelsen serving for the match. And now they meet for a spot in the US Open final. New York has gone crazy. 🇺🇸🔥

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Welcome to our US Open Quarterfinal Recap on the We’re Going Five Podcast.

We break down Ben Shelton’s massive win over Carlos Alcaraz, Frances Tiafoe somehow surviving Alex Michelsen, Alexander Zverev taking care of Botic van de Zandschulp, and Karen Khachanov ending Alexander Blockx’s incredible run.

Then it is semifinal time.

Shelton vs Tiafoe.
Zverev vs Khachanov.

Who reaches the US Open final?

Timestamps: 
0:00 Intro
0:56 Thoughts on Shelton vs Alcaraz?
23:13 Thoughts on Tiafoe vs Michelsen
32:35 Shelton vs Tiafoe Preview
37:51 Thoughts on Zverev vs Botic
43:06 Thoughts on Khachanov vs Blockx
47:53 Zverev vs Khachanov Preview

🇺🇸 SHELTON FINALLY DOES IT

Ben Shelton takes down Carlos Alcaraz and gets one of the biggest wins of his career.

Before this match, Shelton had gone 0–17 against Top 3 opponents.

Eighteenth time lucky.

But was this Shelton finally showing that his ceiling is even higher than we thought?

Or did Alcaraz leave the door open?

We break down Shelton’s serving, aggression, mentality and what this win means for his development at Grand Slam level.

🤯 BIG FOE SOMEHOW SURVIVES

Frances Tiafoe was two sets down.

Alex Michelsen was serving for the match.

And Tiafoe still found a way to win.

On Arthur Ashe Stadium, with his US Open run disappearing in front of him, Big Foe produces another unforgettable New York comeback.

Was this Tiafoe showing the mentality of a genuine Slam contender?

Or did Michelsen suffer one of the most painful collapses of the tournament?

🔥 SHELTON VS TIAFOE

And now we get the matchup America wanted.

Ben Shelton vs Frances Tiafoe for a place in the US Open final.

Shelton enters after the biggest win of his career.

Tiafoe enters after one of the biggest comebacks of his career.

Two huge personalities.

Two massive forehands.

Arthur Ashe Stadium.

And an American guaranteed to play for the US Open title.

Who handles the moment better?

🎯 WHO YA GOT?

Shelton or Tiafoe?

We break down the serve battle, return games, pressure moments, experience and who we trust more if this gets tight late.

💪 ZVEREV KEEPS MOVING

Alexander Zverev gets past Botic van de Zandschulp and continues another deep Grand Slam run.

After everything Sascha has done at the majors in 2026, is he quietly becoming the safest player in men’s tennis to make the business end of a Slam?

And more importantly, is this finally the tournament where he adds another major?

🚀 WHAT A RUN FROM BLOCKX

Alexander Blockx’s US Open run finally ends against Karen Khachanov.

Even without reaching the semifinal, Blockx leaves New York having announced himself on one of the biggest stages in tennis.

We discuss what impressed us most about his run and whether this was a one tournament explosion or the beginning of something much bigger.

⚔️ ZVEREV VS KHACHANOV

The other semifinal gives us a completely different type of battle.

Alexander Zverev vs Karen Khachanov.

Two huge servers.

Two powerful baseliners.

Two players comfortable going deep at Grand Slams.

Does Zverev’s backhand and consistency give him the advantage?

Can Khachanov make this physical and drag Sascha into another long Grand Slam fight?

And who handles the pressure of being one match away from the US Open final?

🎯 WHO YA GOT?

Zverev or Khachanov?

👇 DROP YOUR PICKS

Shelton or Tiafoe?

Zverev or Khachanov?

And who are you taking to WIN the US Open from the final four?