Qinwen Zheng finds redemption at home with historic China Open title

Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng completed a remarkable comeback story on home soil, defeating Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-4 to win the China Open title in Beijing on Sunday. The victory made the 24-year-old the first Chinese player to lift the prestigious trophy since the tournament began in 2004. It was Zheng’s first title in almost two years and her first 1000 crown on the WTA circuit.

For Zheng, the triumph was much more than silverware. It marked the culmination of a difficult journey back from a lingering right elbow injury that required surgery in 2025 and derailed much of her career. After rising to world number four, the Paris 2024 gold medalist has seen her ranking slip as she struggles to regain her fitness and competitive rhythm.

Her return to the top began with an extraordinary run at the US Open, where she battled through qualifying before reaching the quarterfinals. Zheng showed remarkable courage in New York when he overcame a 0-5 deficit in the deciding set against Madison Keys before mounting another stunning comeback against Igo Swiatek, who recovered from 0-5 down in the opening set to win 7-5, 6-3. Her resilience against two Grand Slam champions was a powerful reminder of the talent and fight that took her to the top of the game.

Winning Moment History Sealed by Zheng Qinwen’s Ace! #ChinaOpen wta (@WTA) October 11, 2026

HOW ZHENG ENDURED ANDREEVA IN BEIJING

He stood between Zheng and the dream domestic triumph Andreeva, winner of the French Open and one of the brightest young stars on the WTA Tour. But Zheng seized the opportunity, using her strong forehand and aggressive baseline to dictate the plays against the fifth-ranked Russian.

The opening set was a test of nerves. After the pair traded breaks, Andreeva moved ahead 5-4 and threatened to take control. However, Zheng saved three break points to level the set before capitalizing on her opponent’s mistake to make it 7-5.

The Chinese star kept her composure in the second set, refusing to let Andreeva find a way back. Tied at 4-4, Zheng earned a crucial break before serving out the match and sealing the victory with an ace on her first match point.

The title was a fitting reward for a player who endured months of uncertainty, physical pain and a dramatic drop in the rankings. Zheng’s decision to fight through qualifying for the US Open and not rely on a wild card or protected seeding reflected her determination to rebuild her game through the competition.

In Beijing, that persistence finally paid off. In front of an emotional home crowd, Zheng turned a long-awaited comeback into a historic triumph, reclaiming her place among the sport’s leading players and giving Chinese tennis a moment to cherish.

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