By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, October 10, 2026
Photo credit: Screen Shot
Labubus and pandas were part of the party when Zheng Qinwen celebrated her 24th birthday on Thursday.
Today, the Chinese wild card gifted home fans a major first.
Zheng defeated Elise Mertens 7-5, 6-2 to become the first Chinese woman to reach the Beijing final.
“I’m glad that I can be the first one,” Zheng told the media in Beijing. “But still I know the battle is not end. Tomorrow I will face tough opponent. There is one more match to go. I would say I would stay humble and let’s see for tomorrow.”
A revitalizing run has propelled Zheng, who dropped to No. 125 at the beginning of August, up to No. 28 in the Live Rankings.
Former world No. 4 Zheng believes her best tennis is ahead of her.
“Yeah, I would say more matches I play, more free, better tennis I achieve because I’m kind of the player, like my limits are really high, so I need to find out my rhythm from the beginning of the tournament,” Zheng said. “I’m luckily that I’ve been play some really aggressive tennis ’cause that’s the goal that I had for myself, to be aggressive, in the same time also being consistent.
“Luckily I could finish the match today in two sets. I had some tough third set matches in the beginning of the three matches.”
Zheng will play for her first title since she won the 2024 Tokyo title when she meets Mirra Andreeva in tomorrow’s final.
Earlier, reigning Roland Garros champion Andreeva defeated Nikola Bartunkova, 6-2, 6-2 to advance to her maiden China Open final. Andreeva arrives at the title match armed with a new career-high ranking of No. 3.
“Well, I think for sure in these two years both of us, we become more mature. She just won Roland Garros this year,” Zheng said. “Was a really great achievement for her. Congratulations.
“I think she’s always tough opponent because she’s always there fighting, very consistent player. I would say it is not easy match, but also I’m a tough player. Tomorrow is going to be a hard battle. We just show our tennis and let’s see what’s going to happen.”
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