Qinwen Zheng makes history in winning China Open

Qinwen Zheng made history by winning the China Open WTA 1000 on Sunday in Beijing. The 15,000-strong crowd celebrated as she defeated fourth-seeded Mirra Andreeva of Russia with a scoreline of 7-5, 6-4. This marked Zheng's first 1000-level title and her sixth overall, following her Tokyo victory in late 2024. Upon winning, Zheng expressed her joy, stating that this achievement solidified her place as a history-maker.

She emphasized her desire to surpass her 2024 performance, always maintaining that her best was yet to come.

Having previously been the gold medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Zheng recorded her 14th career win against a Top 10 opponent in just over an hour and a forty-three minutes. Initially ranked 54th in the world following elbow surgery, Zheng's return to the circuit was marked by a remarkable comeback. After trailing 5-4 in the first set with three set points to spare, she fought back, breaking her opponent's serve and dominating the next eight points to clinch the opener.

In the second set, Zheng and Andreeva managed to hold serve until the ninth game, where Zheng broke through, securing the set on the first match point with an ace. Reflecting on her journey, Zheng acknowledged the doubts she faced, noting that many were skeptical about her ability to return. "Everyone had doubts about me," she admitted, "but finally, after many losses, I found my fire again while playing matches."

She stressed that tennis is not just about hitting the balls; it's also about the determination to win. Currently, Zheng is focused on reaching her best version, acknowledging that the path to success involves more than just physical prowess.