Zheng Qinwen Stuns Andreeva to End China's 30-Year Wait

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-12

Zheng Qinwen just did something no Chinese woman has done in 30 years. On Sunday, she defeated Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-4 to win the China Open at the National Tennis Centre in Beijing. The 24-year-old wildcard became the first home champion in the tournament's history. ### How Zheng Turned the Tide Andreeva, the fourth seed, came out firing. She led 2-0 in both sets and was up 5-4 in the first. Zheng, ranked 54th, saved three set points at that stage. She then won every point to take the set with an ace. The second set followed a similar script. Andreeva made errors, but the score stayed level until 4-4. That's when Zheng pounced. She broke serve in the ninth game with a forehand that landed on the line. A double fault late in the final game gave Andreeva a glimmer of hope. But Zheng answered with another ace on her first match point and fell to the court in tears. ### A Comeback From the Brink Zheng's journey back to the top has been anything but easy. She's a former world No. 4 and the reigning Olympic champion. But elbow surgery in 2025 derailed her. Her form and fitness suffered, and her ranking plummeted to 122nd this season. "I've been through a very, very tough year," Zheng said during the trophy ceremony. She congratulated Andreeva on winning the French Open earlier this season. Then she sang a song about chasing the "light of dreams" for the crowd. This win gives Zheng her first WTA 1000 title and her sixth trophy overall. Her last title came in October 2024, when she beat Sofia Kenin in Tokyo. She also reached the quarterfinals of the US Open this year. ### What This Means for the Rankings Zheng will jump 31 places to No. 23 when the new rankings are released on Monday. Andreeva, who started the week fifth, will rise to third despite the loss. The 19-year-old Russian was playing in her first China Open final. The two had met once before, in the 2024 China Open quarterfinals. Zheng won that one in three sets. No Chinese player had reached the final of this event since Chen Li lost to Wang Shi-ting of Chinese Taipei in 1996. Zheng ended that drought and became the tournament's first home champion. Both players are expected to enter the Wuhan Open next. Zheng will try to carry her form into that event and is aiming to return to the top 20. ### Key Takeaways - Zheng saved three set points in the first set. - She won her first WTA 1000 title and sixth overall. - Her ranking will rise from 54th to 23rd. - Andreeva will move up to third in the world. - Zheng is the first Chinese woman to win the China Open. For more sports news and updates, visit JeetWin Blog!