Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng etched her name into the record books on Sunday, becoming the inaugural Chinese player to claim the China Open title after a commanding performance against French Open winner Mirra Andreeva, winning 7-5 6-4.
The wild card competitor, navigating her comeback following nearly six months sidelined by a right elbow injury, demonstrated the form that made her an Olympic champion. She dominated rallies with aggressive forehands and struck winners with precision angles that left Andreeva struggling to find answers.
Entering the tournament ranked No. 54, Zheng was the lowest-ranked finalist at the China Open since its 2004 relaunch, and she also became the first wild-card entrant to reach the final in that period. Before her breakthrough, Chinese players had endured a difficult history at their home event, having lost all seven China Open semifinal appearances since the tournament's 2004 relaunch.
The opening set saw both players exchange early breaks as world No 5 Andreeva built momentum to reach 5-4. The Russian appeared poised to seize control when Zheng sent a cross-court shot long and netted a forehand, presenting break-point opportunities. Yet Zheng refused to fold, saving three break points to level at 5-5 before capitalising on Andreeva's mounting errors. A swift backhand winner handed Zheng the break she needed to secure the first set.
The second set followed a similar pattern. Andreeva saved three break points as the match remained deadlocked at 4-4, but Zheng's relentless pressure finally broke through. She converted her break opportunity and then delivered a perfect ace in the following game to clinch her first WTA 1000 title on home soil, her first singles title since Tokyo in 2024.
Both finalists have withdrawn from this week's Wuhan Open. Zheng cited a right shoulder issue and physical fatigue as her reasons for stepping back, while Andreeva's absence stems from a schedule adjustment. Zheng and Andreeva were replaced in the Wuhan draw by lucky losers Camila Osorio and Anna Bondar, respectively.
In a statement released by the WTA, Zheng explained her decision:
Since returning from injury... I have played a demanding stretch of tennis over the past month and a half, competing at the US Open, the Billie Jean King Cup and the China Open. My body is feeling very fatigued after this intense run of matches. I look forward to returning to the Wuhan Open next year and stepping onto the court in my best possible form!
What happens next
Zheng is entered in the Kinoshita Group Japan Open in Osaka, scheduled for October 19–25, as she continues her recovery and builds momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.
Shanghai Masters: Zverev survives scare as Shelton exits
Top-seeded Alexander Zverev narrowly avoided an upset at the ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters on Sunday, recovering from two match points down in the second-set tiebreaker to defeat Quentin Halys 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-3.
The US Open champion proved virtually impenetrable on his own serve throughout the third-round encounter, never surrendering a break-point opportunity against the 48th-ranked Frenchman. Zverev required seven break points of his own just to crack Halys's service in the opening game, illustrating the defensive solidity his opponent displayed.
Halys mounted a spirited challenge in the second set, twice facing match point while serving in the tiebreaker. He saved both opportunities before clinching the set with an overhead volley winner at the net. Zverev regained control immediately, breaking Halys's first service game of the deciding set to establish command and cruise to victory.
The German is closing in on finishing the season as world No 1 for the first time, a milestone that would cap a remarkable year. He will face Alexander Bublik in the round of 16 after the Kazakh rallied to beat Brandon Nakashima 6-7 (7-9) 6-3 7-6 (7-5).
Third-seeded Ben Shelton's Shanghai campaign ended in disappointment on Sunday when the US Open finalist fell to 21-year-old Frenchman Arthur Gea 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-33) in the third round. Shelton, who celebrated his 24th birthday with a first-round victory, could not recover from a second-set tiebreaker loss after Gea converted his first match-point chance.
Ninth-seeded Alex de Minaur advanced past Rei Sakamoto 7-6 (8-6) 6-4, while 26th-seeded Karen Khachanov defeated Adrian Mannarino 6-2 6-4.
World No 1 Jannik Sinner withdrew from Shanghai this week after announcing he is taking the remainder of 2026 off due to a right knee injury, removing the top seed from contention.
The ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters continues through October 18, with coverage available on Sky Sports Tennis. Stream the tournament with no contract on NOW and the Sky Sports App.
