The Olympic champion defeats Russia’s Mirra Andreeva in Beijing to secure her first title in nearly two years and become the first Chinese player to win the tournament since its inception in 2004.

China’s Zheng Qinwen produced a determined performance in front of her home supporters to defeat Russia’s Mirra Andreeva and win the China Open, capping a remarkable comeback after a difficult period marked by injury and inconsistent form.

The former world number four, who entered the tournament as a wildcard, overcame the fifth-ranked Andreeva in a hard-fought contest to claim her first title since October 2024. The victory also marked Zheng’s maiden triumph at the prestigious WTA 1000 level.

Ranked 54th at the time of the tournament, Zheng had faced considerable challenges following elbow surgery in 2025, which disrupted her progress and raised questions about her ability to return to her previous level.

However, the Olympic champion demonstrated resilience, composure and attacking quality throughout the final, becoming the first Chinese player to lift the China Open trophy since the tournament began in 2004.

The victory was particularly significant for the home crowd, which had waited eagerly to see one of China’s leading tennis stars reclaim her place among the sport’s elite.

Zheng fights back after difficult opening

Andreeva initially appeared the more consistent player, using her baseline game to put Zheng under pressure during the early exchanges.

The 19-year-old Russian made a strong start, but Zheng responded by recovering a break and matching her opponent in a series of demanding baseline rallies.

With both players looking to dictate play from the back of the court, the opening set developed into a tense battle of patience, precision and mental strength.

Zheng’s determination became increasingly evident as she fought to remain in contention, saving three set points to draw level at 5-5.

She then raised her intensity, winning every point that followed in the set and sealing the lead with a powerful ace.

The comeback underlined the confidence that had helped Zheng establish herself among the world’s top players before her injury setback. Rather than allowing Andreeva’s early advantage to dictate the contest, she took control at a crucial stage and put herself in a strong position to pursue the title.

Home support adds drama to the final

The atmosphere in Beijing reflected the importance of the occasion, with spectators passionately backing Zheng as she pursued a landmark victory on home soil.

At times, the enthusiasm of the crowd became disruptive, with cheers erupting before points had been completed and supporters shouting Zheng’s name during serves on both sides of the net.

Despite the distractions, both players maintained their concentration and continued to compete intensely, holding serve as the match moved deeper into the second set.

Andreeva sought to keep Zheng under pressure, but the Chinese star remained composed and continued to look for opportunities to attack.

The decisive breakthrough arrived in the ninth game of the second set, when Zheng produced a series of precise, aggressive shots close to the lines to break Andreeva’s serve and move ahead 5-4.

The break left Zheng within touching distance of victory, but she still needed to negotiate a tense final service game against an opponent determined to extend the contest.

Ace seals memorable victory

A double fault briefly threatened to complicate Zheng’s attempt to close out the match, introducing a moment of uncertainty at a critical point.

However, the Chinese player quickly recovered her composure and responded with an ace to secure victory on her first match point.

The finish reflected the qualities that had carried her through the contest: resilience under pressure, confidence in her serve and the ability to deliver when the stakes were highest.

For Zheng, the triumph represented far more than another tournament victory. It was a major milestone in her efforts to rebuild her career after surgery and regain the consistency that had previously taken her into the world’s top four.

Zheng Qinwen poses with the trophy after defeating Mirra Andreeva in the women's singles final of the China Open on the Capital Group Diamond Court, National Tennis Center, Beijing, China, Oct. 11, 2026. Photo by AP
Her last title had come in October 2024, when she defeated American Sofia Kenin in Tokyo. The China Open victory ended that wait and delivered the biggest title of her career in terms of tournament category, with the WTA 1000 event regarded as one of the tour’s most prestigious competitions outside the Grand Slams.

A significant moment for Chinese tennis

Zheng’s success also carried historical importance for Chinese tennis, as she became the first homegrown player to win the China Open since its establishment in 2004.

The achievement provided a memorable moment for local supporters and reinforced her status as one of the country’s most prominent tennis figures.

Her victory over Andreeva also continued a competitive rivalry between the pair. Their only previous meeting had taken place in the quarter-finals of the 2024 China Open, where Zheng prevailed in three sets.

This time, the Chinese star again found a way to overcome the Russian teenager, showing the fighting spirit required to succeed in a high-pressure final.

For Andreeva, the defeat ended her hopes of lifting the trophy, while Zheng departed Beijing with a title that could prove important in rebuilding her confidence and momentum.

After months of battling to regain form and fitness, the Olympic champion had finally returned to the winner’s circle. Her triumph was not only a personal breakthrough but also a historic achievement for Chinese tennis, giving home supporters a champion of their own on one of the sport’s biggest stages.