Mirra Andreeva and Qinwen Zheng will meet in the final of the 2026 China Open.
After Andreeva defeated Nikola Bartunkova, Zheng knocked out Elise Mertens to set up a Beijing blockbuster. Andreeva, a two-time WTA 1000 champion, will play Zheng in front of her home fans on Sunday.
But how will she deal with the crowd and the matchup? During her latest post-match press conference, Andreeva previewed the China Open final and shared her thoughts on her Chinese opponent.
Mirra Andreeva thinks it will be ‘fine’ playing against China’s Qinwen Zheng in the Beijing final
“Yeah, I think, of course, if Qinwen [Zheng] wins, I pretty much have some experience playing against local players. I think that’s going to be fine. Of course, we all know that she’s playing at home. That’s okay,” said Andreeva before she knew whether she would meet Zheng or Mertens in the final.
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“Also, she’s been coming back; she’s been playing better, and she’s been beating a lot of great players. Of course, I think no matter who’s going to win, it’s going to be tough.”
Andreeva has a history of struggling in big games against home favourites. At the 2025 French Open, she lost to Lois Boisson, becoming overwhelmed by emotion as the rowdy crowd supported her opponent.
She doesn’t believe that will happen against Zheng, even though she recognises how talented and ‘aggressive’ the world number 54 is.
Mirra Andreeva and Qinwen Zheng’s rankings
- Mirra Andreeva’s WTA ranking – 5th
- Qinwen Zheng’s WTA ranking – 54th
- Mirra Andreeva’s ‘Live’ WTA ranking – 3rd
- Qinwen Zheng’s ‘Live’ WTA ranking – 28th
- Mirra Andreeva’s career-high WTA ranking – 5th
- Qinwen Zheng’s career-high WTA ranking – 4th
“I feel like Qinwen, obviously; she’s more aggressive, she likes to hit a lot of balls, and she tries to play fast. We will prepare our best with Conchita [Martinez], no matter who will win, and I will try to play my best in the final,” said Andreeva.
Andreeva and Zheng have met once before, at the China Open two years ago. Zheng battled back from a set down to defeat the Russian, 5-7, 6-0, 6-4.
Mirra Andreeva vs Qinwen Zheng – Match stats
| Stats | Mirra Andreeva | Qinwen Zheng |
| Aces | 1 | 5 |
| Double faults | 5 | 8 |
| 1st Serve % | 55% | 48% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 51% | 73% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 38% | 31% |
| Break points | 6/10 | 9/18 |
| Total points won | 89 | 101 |
Zheng would love to repeat the feat in Sunday’s final, but what does she think about the match-up? The Chinese star was asked to give her thoughts during her post-match press conference.
Qinwen Zheng expects ‘hard battle’ against Mirra Andreeva in the China Open final
“Well, I think for sure in these two years, both of us, we became more mature. She just won Roland Garros this year. Was a really great achievement for her. Congratulations,” said Zheng.
“I think she’s always a tough opponent because she’s always there fighting, a very consistent player. I would say it is not an easy match, but also, I’m a tough player. Tomorrow is going to be a hard battle. We’ll just show our tennis and let’s see what’s going to happen.”
Zheng has already played one WTA 1000 final in China, losing to Aryna Sabalenka in Wuhan two years ago. Whether she can go one better and take the title in Beijing remains to be seen.
She will contest the China Open final against Andreeva on Sunday, October 11. Both players will then head over to Wuhan for the last WTA 1000 event of the year. Zheng will play the American Ann Li in the first round and could then meet Sabalenka in the second round. Receiving a bye into the second round, Andreeva will play Dayana Yastremska or Cristina Bucsa in her opener.
