China’s Olympic tennis champion Zheng Qinwen has ended a difficult period in her career in spectacular fashion, defeating French Open champion Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-4 to win the China Open on Sunday, October 11.
The victory marks Zheng’s first title in nearly two years and makes her the first Chinese player to win the women’s singles title at the China Open. Playing in front of an enthusiastic home crowd in Beijing, the 24-year-old wildcard entry delivered a comeback performance that brought her to tears after sealing the championship.
Zheng Overcomes Injury Setbacks to Claim Historic Victory
Zheng’s triumph carries extra significance after an elbow injury disrupted her career and kept her away from competition for an extended period.
Once ranked as high as world No. 4, she slipped down the rankings during her recovery. She entered the Beijing tournament ranked No. 54, making her eventual victory an impressive return to form.
The Chinese star had already shown signs of regaining her confidence at the US Open in August, where she reached the quarter-finals. Her China Open run has now provided an even stronger indication that she is rebuilding her position among the sport’s leading players.
Dramatic First Set Turns the Final Around
The final was far from straightforward. Andreeva, the reigning French Open champion, initially threatened to take control and moved ahead 5-4 in the opening set.
Zheng responded under pressure, saving three set points before turning the contest around. She won the next games to take the first set 7-5, shifting the momentum in front of the Beijing crowd.
The second set remained competitive, with both players fighting for control. Zheng eventually secured a crucial break at 4-4 before serving out the match, completing a 7-5, 6-4 victory in one hour and 43 minutes.
She clinched the championship with an ace, then fell to the court in tears as the significance of the win sank in.
Emotional Celebration After Two Difficult Years
During the trophy presentation, Zheng reflected on the challenges she had faced.
“I’ve been through a very, very tough year,” she said, expressing her joy at winning in front of her home supporters.
The ceremony took an unexpected celebratory turn when Zheng sang a song for the crowd, drawing enthusiastic cheers from fans who had watched her overcome a determined opponent.
For Zheng, the title represents more than another trophy. It is a milestone in her comeback after injury, months of uncertainty and a steep fall in the rankings.
A New Milestone for Chinese Tennis
The China Open title is Zheng’s first WTA 1000 championship and her first tournament victory since winning in Tokyo in late 2024. It is also her sixth career title on the WTA Tour.
Her win carries historical significance for Chinese tennis, as no Chinese player had previously claimed the women’s singles crown at the Beijing tournament.
The result is expected to lift Zheng back into the world’s top 30, giving her a stronger platform as she continues her return to the top level of the women’s game.
Andreeva Faces a Ranking Breakthrough Despite Defeat
Andreeva may have lost the final, but the 19-year-old Russian is still set to reach a career-high world No. 3 ranking.
The defeat does little to diminish her breakthrough season, which has included winning the French Open. She also showed how close she came to taking control of the final before Zheng mounted her decisive comeback.
Andreeva praised Zheng’s performance after the match, acknowledging that the Chinese player had played exceptionally well and was making a strong return.
With both players expected to continue competing at the highest level, the Beijing final could prove to be an important chapter in their developing rivalry.
What Zheng’s Victory Means Going Forward
Zheng’s China Open triumph offers a timely boost as she works to restore the form that carried her to Olympic gold at the Paris 2024 Games and the Australian Open final earlier that year.
More importantly, winning at home gives her a major milestone after a difficult spell away from her best tennis. If she can maintain her fitness and consistency, the result could mark the beginning of a sustained return to the sport’s elite.
For now, Zheng has secured a historic title on home soil — and delivered one of the most emotional moments of her comeback.
