Zheng Qinwen electrified home crowds at the China Open on Saturday with a commanding 6-3, 6-2 win over Colombia's Emiliana Arango, marking her first WTA Tour victory since undergoing elbow surgery two months ago. The World No. 9’s performance in Beijing signals a potential resurgence as she enters the final stretch of the 2025 season.
The 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist revealed her decision to compete despite incomplete recovery was fueled by fan support. "Seeing their passion during training sessions made me determined to play here," Zheng said, acknowledging her team’s initial reservations about her participation.
Overcoming Adversity
Zheng’s triumph breaks a challenging period that included a first-round Wimbledon exit and medical hiatus. Her straight-sets victory against Arango extends their head-to-head record to 3-0, with previous wins at Roland Garros and other tournaments.
The Wuhan native now faces Czech player Linda Noskova in the next round, with analysts watching closely to gauge her readiness for upcoming competitions. As Asia’s highest-ranked women’s tennis player, Zheng’s progress holds significance for regional sports development and China’s growing influence in global athletics.
