China’s Zhu Lin Tops Andreeva in Ningbo

China’s Zhu Lin is well and truly back – with a vengeance. 

The 219-ranked wild card rallied from a set and break down to take out top-seeded Mirra Andreeva 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, to reach the quarterfinals at the Ningbo Open. 

Zhu, who lost to Andreeva two weeks ago in Beijing, has also taken out Emma Raducanu in Ningbo – she defeated the 2021 US Open champion in three sets in the first round, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. 

Zhu, playing just her seventh event of the season after taking time off due to an elbow injury, earns her third career Top 10 win and reaches the quarterfinals at a 500-level event for the first time. 

It was a tough day at the office for Andreeva, who melted down and became really frustrated as the match wore on. She misses a chance to gain ground on Elena Rybakina and Jasmine Paolini in the Race to Riyadh standings. Both are in action tomorrow.

The 31-year-old former world No.31 will face Diana Shnaider, who took out Karolina Muchova, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, next. 

Belinda Bencic also came through on Thursday in Ningbo, defeating Yuliia Starodubtseva 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 in three hours and 33 minutes – the longest match of the 2025 WTA season thus far. 

Ajla Tomljanovic also advanced, defeating Zeynep Sonmez, 7-6(6) 6-3.