Zheng Qinwen has become the first Chinese player to win the China Open, claiming her maiden WTA 1000 title with a straight-sets victory over Mirra Andreeva in Beijing on Sunday.
The Chinese star defeated the in-form Andreeva 7-5, 6-4 to secure the title. Although Zheng won in straight sets, the match tested her throughout. Her first-serve success rate stood at just 38 per cent, and she made 18 unforced errors compared with Andreeva’s 15.
However, Zheng Qinwen made better use of her powerful forehands, hitting 24 winners against her opponent’s 16. Her attacking play also forced Andreeva into further mistakes, helping her secure the historic China Open victory.
Zheng’s success marks an important step in her comeback after a lengthy injury absence. She returned to tennis in February 2026 after missing most of the previous season. An injury to her dominant right elbow required surgery, which kept her away from competition for more than six months.
Her journey to the title was not straightforward. Zheng began the tournament with four consecutive three-set matches, but she raised her level from the quarter-finals onwards.
In the opening set against Andreeva, Zheng trailed 4-5 before saving three break points and fighting back to win 7-5. The second set remained tight at 4-4, with Andreeva saving three break points to stay in contention. However, Zheng eventually broke her opponent’s serve and closed out the match 6-4.
The China Open title adds to Zheng’s strong 2026 season. She also impressed at the US Open, reaching the quarter-finals after working her way through qualifying.
Her latest achievement highlights her determination to return to the top level of women’s tennis.
Can Zheng Qinwen build on her China Open success and win more major titles?
