Zheng Qinwen becomes first Chinese player to win China Open

Zheng Qinwen became the first Chinese player to win the China Open by defeating Mirra Andreeva in the final in Beijing. Zheng, who entered the tournament as a wildcard ranked number 54 in the world, won the match 7-5, 6-4. The victory marks her first WTA 1000 title and ends a two-year title drought for the 24-year-old, who underwent elbow surgery last year.

Match Details and Performance

The final was a closely contested match where Andreeva, the fourth seed, led 2-0 in both sets. Zheng saved three set points in the first set before winning the remaining 11 points to take the opener 7-5. In the second set, the score was tied at 4-4 before Zheng took control and sealed the victory with an ace.

Zheng’s performance was statistically dominant. According to the WTA, she recorded 243 winners in Beijing, the most of any player at any tournament since Aryna Sabalenka's 247 at the 2023 Australian Open. She also hit 51 aces, trailing only Elena Rybakina's 54 at the US Open. Zheng spent 15 hours and 16 minutes on court during the tournament, the most time spent by any player at any tournament this year.

Rankings and Historical Context

Zheng is the lowest-ranked player ever to win the China Open, which dates back to 1994. Following the victory, she is set to rise 31 spots in the PIF WTA Rankings to number 23. Andreeva, 19, is expected to rise two spots to a career-high number 3.

Zheng’s path to the title included four consecutive three-set matches to reach the quarterfinals, followed by upsets against sixth-seeded Elina Svitolina and 13th-seeded Elise Mertens. This win is her 14th victory over a top-10 opponent and her third such win this season.

Post-Match Reaction

After converting match point, Zheng fell to the floor and later performed karaoke for the home crowd. She described the victory as fulfilling a dream. "The feeling was incredible. To win here in Beijing in front of my home crowd is one of my dreams," she said. She also noted the difficulty of the past year, stating, "I've been through a very, very tough year."

Why it matters

Zheng’s victory is a historic milestone for Chinese tennis, marking the first time a Chinese player has won the China Open. The win signals a significant return to form for Zheng after injury struggles, propelling her back into the top 25 rankings and boosting her confidence ahead of the Wuhan Open. For Andreeva, the loss still resulted in a career-high ranking, highlighting the competitive depth of the current WTA tour.

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Sources

• bbc.com: Zheng Qinwen makes history and sings karoke after winning China Open - BBC Sport
• wtatennis.com: Week in review: Zheng returns to glory, and makes history, in Beijing

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.