Qinwen Zheng defeated Elise Mertens, 7-5, 6-2, in the China Open semi-finals.
The 2024 Olympic gold medalist made light work of her Belgian opponent, advancing to her second WTA 1000 final (Lost the 2024 Wuhan Open final to Aryna Sabalenka) and her first in Beijing.
Zheng knows there is still work to be done, as she prepares to play Mirra Andreeva, a two-time WTA 1000 champion, in the final, but was still proud of her achievement, making history for her country.
Qinwen Zheng is ‘glad’ after becoming the first Chinese woman to reach the China Open final
Since the China Open became a WTA 1000 (Or WTA Premier Mandatory) event in 2009, no Chinese player has appeared in the final. That changed when Zheng converted match point against Mertens in the semis.
China Open finalists by nationality since 2009
| Rank | Nationality | China Open finalists | Players |
| 1 | Russia | 5 | Svetlana Kuznetsova, Vera Zvonareva, Maria Sharapova, Liudmila Samsonova, Mirra Andreeva |
| T-2 | Czechia | 3 | Petra Kvitova, Karolina Muchova, Linda Noskova |
| T-2 | USA | 3 | Serena Williams, Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova |
| 4 | Poland | 2 | Agnieszka Radwanska, Iga Swiatek |
| T-5 | China | 1 | Qinwen Zheng |
| T-5 | Denmark | 1 | Caroline Wozniacki |
| T-5 | Germany | 1 | Andrea Petkovic |
| T-5 | Belarus | 1 | Victoria Azarenka |
| T-5 | Serbia | 1 | Jelena Jankovic |
| T-5 | Spain | 1 | Garbine Muguruza |
| T-5 | Switzerland | 1 | Timea Bacsinszky |
| T-5 | Great Britain | 1 | Johanna Konta |
| T-5 | France | 1 | Caroline Garcia |
| T-5 | Romania | 1 | Simona Halep |
| T-5 | Latvia | 1 | Anastasija Sevastova |
| T-5 | Japan | 1 | Naomi Osaka |
| T-5 | Australia | 1 | Ashleigh Barty |
“Well, I haven’t thought that far in the beginning of the tournament because, for me the important thing is just to play match by match. I’m glad that I can be the first one. But still, I know the battle is not over. Tomorrow I will face a tough opponent. There is one more match to go. I would say I would stay humble and let’s see for tomorrow,” said Zheng.
She was then asked how special it would be for her to win the China Open title in front of her home crowd in Beijing.
“Well, I’m always proud to play in front of my home crowd. I always want to show my best level in front of them because I know how much they support me. So I feel like I don’t want to let them down. Also, I don’t want to let myself down. In a way, it’s a pressure, but at the same time it gives me motivation. I just need to use them in the right way,” she said.
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Zheng isn’t the only Chinese woman to reach the final in Beijing, as her countrywoman Zhang Shuai prepares to play the doubles final alongside Katerina Siniakova.
“When we see our compatriots doing well in international tournaments, it encourages a lot of people, be it China men’s team, the women’s team, or juniors. This is really positive,” said Zheng.
“When I was a junior, I was encouraged by those predecessors. I’m on court. Whatever I am doing is a way to bring power to those children. I would love to be a role model for the children. I would like to raise my level. I don’t know where my limit is. In my limited career, I would like to build the best version of myself.”
How did Qinwen Zheng and Mirra Andreeva reach the China Open final?
Zheng made life difficult for herself early on in Beijing, requiring a deciding set in her first four matches. She then kicked into gear for the quarter-finals and semi-finals, defeating Elina Svitolina and Elise Mertens in straight sets.
Qinwen Zheng’s route to the China Open final
- 1R [WIN] vs Shi Han, 7-6, 4-6, 6-2
- 2R [WIN] vs Anna Kalinskaya, 6-7, 6-4, 3-0 (RET)
- 3R [WIN] vs Marie Bouzkova, 7-6, 4-6, 7-5
- 4R [WIN] vs Alina Charaeva, 6-1, 2-6, 6-4
- QF [WIN] vs Elina Svitolina, 6-3, 7-6
- SF [WIN] vs Elise Mertens, 7-5, 6-2
Andreeva, on the other hand, hasn’t dropped a set at the China Open since her opening match against Yue Yuan. She’s beaten Polina Kudermetova, Daria Snigur, Ekaterina Alexandrova, and Nikola Bartunkova with relative ease.
Mirra Andreeva’s route to the China Open final
- 1R – Bye
- 2R [WIN] vs Yue Yuan, 3-6, 6-0, 6-0
- 3R [WIN] vs Polina Kudermetova, 6-4, 6-1
- 4R [WIN] vs Daria Singur, 6-2, 6-2
- QF [WIN] vs Ekaterina Alexandrova, 7-6, 7-6
- SF [WIN] vs Nikola Bartunkova, 6-2, 6-2
Only time will tell who will emerge victorious in the final, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action. Andreeva will play Zheng in the China Open final on Sunday, October 11.
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