Zheng Qinwen Makes History With China Open WTA 1000 Win

Zheng Qinwen made history on Sunday by becoming the first Chinese woman to win the China Open WTA 1000 title, defeating fourth seed Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-4 in Beijing. The 24-year-old completed the victory in 1 hour and 43 minutes in front of a 15,000-strong home crowd, securing her first WTA 1000 trophy and sixth career title.

The victory also marked Zheng's first title since her triumph in Tokyo in October 2024 and capped a remarkable comeback from injury. She underwent right elbow surgery in 2025 and subsequently saw her ranking fall from a career-high No. 4 to as low as No. 160.

Key Highlights:

• Zheng Qinwen won her first WTA 1000 title in Beijing
• She became the first Chinese woman to win the China Open
• Zheng returned to the top 30 after overcoming injury and a major ranking slide

Zheng entered the China Open as a No. 54-ranked wildcard and produced one of the tournament's most demanding runs. She won each of her opening four matches in three sets before progressing through her final three encounters without dropping a set. Her route included victories over seeded opponents such as Elina Svitolina before she faced Andreeva in the final.

The opening set was tightly contested. Andreeva broke early to establish a 2-0 advantage, but Zheng fought back to level the score. With Andreeva serving at 5-4, Zheng saved three set points before producing a decisive surge, winning the next 11 points to take the set 7-5.

Both players exchanged breaks early in the second set, but Zheng secured the crucial breakthrough in the ninth game. She then held her serve to close out the match, converting her first championship point with an ace. Zheng immediately dropped to the court in tears before celebrating with her trademark karaoke performance.

Her title run also produced a notable statistical achievement. Zheng dropped 78 games across seven matches, the most conceded by a champion at a Tier I or WTA 1000 event since the format began in 1990. She also became the first wildcard to win the Beijing event since its 2004 relaunch and the lowest-ranked champion during that period.

The victory represents a significant turnaround for Zheng, who began rebuilding her form at the US Open after reaching the quarterfinals as a qualifier. She also recorded her 14th career victory against a top 10 opponent and her third such win of the season.

Zheng will return to the world's top 30 following her Beijing triumph. Meanwhile, Andreeva's run to the final will see her rise to a career-high No. 3, making her the third-youngest player this century to reach the WTA's top three for the first time, behind Maria Sharapova and Kim Clijsters.

For Zheng, the China Open title represents more than another trophy. It completes a remarkable return to the top and gives her a historic milestone on home soil, while she continues to target further achievements in her career.