Zheng sets a record for most matches missed by a WTA 1000 champion
Zhen had to fight for every round. She opened with a 7-6 (6), 4-6, 6-2 win over China’s Han Shi, followed by a 6-7 (4), 6-4, 3-0 win over Czech No. 18 Marie Buzkova 7-6 (3), 4-6, Alina Chareva and a 4-6, 6-6, 7-5 win over Russian No. 15 Anna Kalinskaya. 6-4. She defeated Ukrainian No. 6 Elina Svitolina 6-3, 7-6 (6) in the quarterfinals, and Elise Mertens, Belgian No. 13, 7-5, 6-2 in the semifinals.
She has dropped 78 games in her seven matches, the most of any Tier I or WTA 1000 champion since the format was introduced in 1990.
The finale was Zheng’s return. She won just 38 percent of her first serves, but dropped 23 of 36 points on her second serve, while Andreeva dropped just 10 of 22. Zheng took 40 percent of Andreeva’s first serve points, broke four of eight chances and saved four of the six break points she faced.
The title completed a return to form for a player who had once reached a Grand Slam final at the Australian Open. Zheng had climbed to world No. 4 before a serious right elbow injury sidelined him and forced him down the rankings.
My first WTA 1000 title here in China means everything to me
“I want to thank my team for supporting me because I had a very difficult year,” Zheng said after the final. “My first WTA 1000 title here in China means everything to me and this trophy belongs to all of you.”
Her victory at her country’s biggest tournament was the best-case scenario for women’s tennis, returning one of its most magnetic players to the ranks of major title winners. If he’s 100 percent, he could be back near the top next year.
Zheng marked the occasion with his trademark karaoke at the trophy ceremony, just as he did to celebrate Zhengzhou’s title in 2023.
Andreeva, seeded No. 5, reached her first final in Beijing in her fourth appearance since the quarter-finals in 2024.
