sports · SCMP

Zheng Qinwen makes history with China Open title, beats Andreeva in straight sets

SCMP · 4 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN

Summary

Zheng Qinwen made history at the China Open on Sunday, October 11, 2026, by becoming the first Chinese player to win the women's singles title at her home tournament. The 24-year-old defeated fourth seed and French Open champion Mirra Andreeva in straight sets 7-5, 6-4, to the delight of a partisan crowd at the National Tennis Centre in Beijing . This victory marked Zheng's maiden WTA 1000 crown and completed a remarkable turnaround from a career-low ranking of No. 122 in July to her current position at No. 28 . The Olympic gold medallist entered the tournament as a wild-card entry after struggling with form following elbow surgery in 2025 .

Key Points

Zheng Qinwen defeated Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-4 in the China Open women's singles final on October 11, 2026 in Beijing
She became the first Chinese player to win the women's singles title at the China Open, breaking the drought since Chen Li lost the 1996 final
The 24-year-old was a wild-card entry after elbow surgery in 2025 and had fallen to world No. 122 in July
She reached the final by beating Elise Mertens 7-5, 6-2 in the semi-finals on October 10, striking 43 winners
Cinemas across mainland China broadcast the match on giant screens as the National Tennis Centre sold out

Why It Matters

Zheng's victory signals a new era for Chinese women's tennis, with her rise from wildcard entry to champion demonstrating the depth of talent in the sport. The nationwide excitement surrounding her win, including cinema screenings, highlights how her comeback story has captured the public's imagination and elevated tennis' popularity in China .