Zheng Qinwen vs Shi Han preview
Zheng Qinwen faces Shi Han in the first round of the WTA Beijing tournament on October 1, 2026, at 02:00 UTC. Zheng enters the match as a main draw wild card following a resurgent run to the quarterfinals at the US Open, a performance that improved her world ranking to No. 52. Her opponent, Shi Han, enters the tournament as a qualifier and currently holds a world ranking of No. 231.
Zheng has expressed that competing in China carries the same importance as a Grand Slam, noting that she feels both the extra pressure and the support of the home crowd. This match marks a return to competition for Zheng, who recently underwent an intense training program following a first-round exit in Toronto qualifying. She is looking to build on her recent US Open campaign, where her performance helped her climb from outside the top 120. This first-round encounter at the China Open serves as a significant test for both players as they navigate the tournament draw in Beijing.