Zheng Qinwen Becomes First Home Player to Win China Open

What changed

Zheng Qinwen defeated Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-4 in Sunday’s China Open final in Beijing, becoming the tournament’s first home winner since it began in 2004. The 54th-ranked Zheng, a wildcard returning from elbow surgery and a difficult year, won her first title since October 2024 and her first WTA 1000 trophy.

Why it matters

This was more than a hometown celebration. Zheng had to save three set points at 5-5 in the opening set, then broke Andreeva in the ninth game of the second before sealing the match with an ace. The comeback gives a clear shape to a season that had been defined by disrupted form and fitness.

Andreeva, the world No. 5, still leaves Beijing with a major prize of her own: her run to a first China Open final is set to lift her to a career-high No. 3. Zheng’s next challenge is sustaining this level after one breakthrough week, but the result restores her place in the tournament’s story, and gives Chinese tennis its defining home triumph at the event.