Zheng Qinwen overpowers Mirra Andreeva to win China Open

BEIJING (Agencies): Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen became the first Chinese player to win the China Open, beating French ​Open winner Mirra Andreeva 7-5 6-4 on Sunday. Wildcard Zheng, who ‌has been on a recovery path after missing much of last year and early 2026 due to an elbow injury on her dominant right arm, looked ​like her old self as she used powerful forehands to ​control the rallies, and landed swift winners angling away from ⁠Andreeva. “The feeling was incredible to win here in Beijing… it’s ​one of my dreams,” said 24-year-old Zheng, whose China Open campaign ended ​in a heartbreak last year as she was forced to retire after aggravating her injury. After the two exchanged early breaks, world number five Andreeva held firm ​to go 5-4 up, and almost got a decisive break ​when world number 54 Zheng sent a cross-court shot too long before netting a ‌forehand. However, ⁠Zheng, saved three break points to make it 5-5, and pounced on an error-prone Andreeva in the next game, outwitting the Russian with a swift backhand to get the break that secured the ​first set. Andreeva saved ​three break points ⁠as the second set was poised at 4-4, but a persistent Zheng got the break, and landed ​a perfect ace in the next game to ​clinch her ⁠first WTA 1000 title, and her first trophy of the year. Zheng and Andreeva are set to compete at the Wuhan Open starting Monday, ⁠with ​US Open quarter-finalist Zheng eyeing a return ​to the top 20 in the rankings if she can carry the momentum into ​the next tournament.