Zheng captures maiden WTA 1000 title in Beijing as wildcard
Chinese wildcard Qinwen Zheng defeated fourth seed Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-4 to win the China Open and her first WTA 1000 title. Ranked No. 54, Zheng became the first Chinese champion of the Beijing event since its 2004 debut and its lowest-ranked winner. She dropped a record 78 games during the tournament and returned to form after a serious right elbow injury.
Qinwen Zheng entered the China Open as a wildcard ranked 54th and defeated fourth-seeded Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-4. The win gave Zheng her first WTA 1000 title, made her the first Chinese champion since the event began in 2004, and marked its lowest-ranked winner.
Zheng’s path included seven matches and 78 lost games, a record for a Tier I/WTA 1000 champion since 1990. Once ranked fourth and an Australian Open finalist, she returned from a significant right elbow injury. Andreeva, ranked fifth, was contesting her first Beijing final in her fourth appearance.
Zheng’s home triumph may boost interest in tennis among Chinese fans, especially girls and young athletes, by offering a visible comeback story. A popular champion returning from injury could draw casual viewers to WTA events and inspire participation at grassroots level. Her success may also increase media attention and sponsorship around Chinese tennis, though long-term effects depend on sustained performance and accessibility of facilities.