Mirra Andreeva gives her ideas on taking part in Qinwen Zheng in entrance of her home crowd in the China Open ultimate

Mirra Andreeva and Qinwen Zheng will meet in the ultimate 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 entrance of her home followers on Sunday.

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But how will she deal with the crowd and the matchup? During her newest post-match press convention, Andreeva previewed the China Open ultimate and shared her ideas on her Chinese opponent.

Mirra Andreeva thinks it will be ‘positive’ taking part in against China’s Qinwen Zheng in the Beijing ultimate

“Yeah, I think, of course, if Qinwen [Zheng] wins, I fairly much have some expertise taking part in against native gamers. I think that’s going to be positive. Of course, we all know that she’s taking part in at home. That’s okay,” said Andreeva before she knew whether she would meet Zheng or Mertens in the ultimate.

“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.”

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Andreeva has a historical past of struggling in massive video games against home favourites. At the 2025 French Open, she lost to Lois Boisson, changing into overwhelmed by emotion as the rowdy crowd supported her opponent.

She does not believe that will occur against Zheng, even though she recognises how gifted and ‘aggressive’ the world quantity 54 is.

Mirra Andreeva and Qinwen Zheng’s rankings

• Mirra Andreeva’s WTA rating – fifth

• Qinwen Zheng’s WTA rating – 54th

• Mirra Andreeva’s ‘Live’ WTA rating – third

• Qinwen Zheng’s ‘Live’ WTA rating – twenty eighth

• Mirra Andreeva’s career-high WTA rating – fifth

• Qinwen Zheng’s career-high WTA rating – 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.

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Andreeva and Zheng have met once before, at the China Open two years in the past. Zheng battled back from a set down to defeat the Russian, 5-7, 6-0, 6-4.

Mirra Andreeva vs Qinwen Zheng – Match stats

Mirra Andreeva vs Qinwen Zheng – Match stats

Zheng would love to repeat the feat in Sunday’s ultimate, but what does she think about the match-up? The Chinese star was requested to give her ideas during her post-match press convention.

Qinwen Zheng expects ‘arduous battle’ against Mirra Andreeva in the China Open ultimate

“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.

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“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 performed one WTA 1000 ultimate in China, dropping to Aryna Sabalenka in Wuhan two years in the past. Whether she can go one higher and take the title in Beijing stays to be seen.

She will contest the China Open ultimate against Andreeva on Sunday, October 11. Both gamers will then head over to Wuhan for the last WTA 1000 occasion of the 12 months. Zheng will play the American Ann Li in the first spherical and could then meet Sabalenka in the second spherical. Receiving a bye into the second spherical, Andreeva will play Dayana Yastremska or Cristina Bucsa in her opener.