Zheng Qinwen wins China Open for first title in two years

Zheng Qinwen won the China Open in Beijing, beating Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-4 in the final.

She is the first Chinese woman to win the tournament and claimed her first title in two years.

Zheng entered as a wildcard ranked 54th in the world, after an elbow injury and surgery disrupted her career.

In the first set, she saved three set points before taking the lead; she also came back after falling behind in the second.

Zheng said winning in front of her home crowd was one of her dreams.

The victory is her first WTA 1000 title, the tour’s top level below the Grand Slams, and is expected to return her to the world’s top 30.

Andreeva is set to rise to a career-high third in the rankings on Monday.