Mirra Andreeva to face home favorite Zheng Qinwen in China Open final

BEIJING (AP) — Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva will face home favorite Zheng Qinwen in the final of the China Open after both players won their respective semifinal matches Saturday.

Zheng defeated Elise Mertens 7-5, 6-2 and delighted the home supporters by becoming the first Chinese finalist in the tournament, which dates back to 2004.

The 24-year-old Zheng won eight of the last 10 games against Mertens to reach her second career WTA 1000 final.

Earlier, Andreeva, the French Open champion, earned her 50th match win of the season by beating Nikola Bartunkova 6-2, 6-2.

No. 5-ranked Andreeva is set to move up two spots in next week’s rankings. Her 50 match wins puts her in a tie with Jessica Pegula for most on tour, according to the WTA.

Mirra Andreeva to face home favorite Zheng Qinwen in China Open final | iNFOnews.ca
Zheng Qinwen, of China, hits the ball into the crowd after winning the semifinals of the women’s singles match against Elise Mertens at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

The 19-year-old Andreeva had defeated Bartunkova, a 20-year-old Czech played ranked No. 34, in the third round of the U.S. Open in their only other meeting.

Mirra Andreeva to face home favorite Zheng Qinwen in China Open final | iNFOnews.ca
Zheng Qinwen, of China, celebrates after defeating Elise Mertens of Belgium in the semifinals of the women’s singles match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

___

See AP’s full tennis coverage here

Mirra Andreeva to face home favorite Zheng Qinwen in China Open final | iNFOnews.ca
Mirra Andreeva, of Russia, returns a ball to Nikola Bartunkova, of the Czech Republic during the semifinals of the women’s singles match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.