Zheng Sets Up China Open Final Against Andreeva After Historic Run

China’s home favourite Zheng Qinwen has booked a place in the China Open women’s singles final after defeating Belgium’s Elise Mertens in straight sets, setting up a title showdown with Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva.

Zheng, the 2024 Olympic gold medallist, defeated the 13th-seeded Mertens 7-5, 6-2 in Saturday’s semi-final in Beijing. The victory made her the first Chinese player to reach the women’s singles final at the tournament since it began in 2004.

The 24-year-old, competing on a wildcard after recovering from an elbow injury, showed composure after surrendering an early break in the opening set. She regained control, took the first set 7-5 and dominated the second, winning eight of the final 10 games to secure her place in the final.

Zheng is now seeking her first WTA 1000 title on home soil and her first tour title since winning in Tokyo in 2024. She has also enjoyed strong support from the Beijing crowd throughout her run.

Standing between Zheng and the trophy is Andreeva, who reached the final with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 victory over Czech player Nikola Bartunkova. The fourth seed needed just one hour and 14 minutes to complete the win, hitting 16 winners and committing 10 unforced errors.

The 19-year-old Andreeva, the reigning French Open champion, also recorded her 50th tour-level victory of the season and reached her fifth final of 2026. She will be aiming to add another major title to her growing collection.

The final will be a rematch of the players’ only previous meeting, when Zheng came from a set down to defeat Andreeva in the 2024 China Open quarter-finals. Andreeva has acknowledged the challenge of facing Zheng in front of her home supporters, while also expressing confidence in her own recent form.

The championship match is scheduled for Sunday, October 11, in Beijing. For Zheng, it represents an opportunity to cap her return from injury with a landmark victory in front of the home crowd; for Andreeva, it offers a chance to claim another WTA 1000 crown and strengthen her position among the leading players on the women’s tour.